Sayfa 150 / 167

"You must remember," remarked the King, "or I'll have you

executed."

The miserable Hatter dropped his teacup and bread-and-butter, and

went down on one knee. "I'm a poor man, your Majesty," he began.

"You're a very poor speaker," said the King.

Here one of the guinea-pigs cheered, and was immediately

suppressed by the officers of the court. (As that is rather a

hard word, I will just explain to you how it was done. They had a

large canvas bag, which tied up at the mouth with strings: into

this they slipped the guinea-pig, head first, and then sat upon

it.)

"I'm glad I've seen that done," thought Alice. "I've so often

read in the newspapers, at the end of trials, "There was some

attempts at applause, which was immediately suppressed by the

officers of the court," and I never understood what it meant till

now."

"If that's all you know about it, you may stand down," continued

the King.

"I can't go no lower," said the Hatter: "I'm on the floor, as it

is."