CHAPTER VIII
The Queen's Croquet-Ground
A large rose-tree stood near the entrance of the garden:
the roses growing on it were white, but there were three
gardeners at it, busily painting them red. Alice thought
this a very curious thing, and she went nearer to watch
them, and just as she came up to them she heard one of
them say, 'Look out now, Five! Don't go splashing paint over me like that!'
'I couldn't help it,' said Five, in a sulky tone; 'Seven jogged my elbow.'
On which Seven looked up and said, 'That's right, Five! Always lay the blame on others!'
'YOU'D better not talk!' said Five. 'I heard the Queen say only yesterday
you deserved to be beheaded!'
'What for?' said the one who had spoken first.
'That's none of YOUR business, Two!' said Seven.
'Yes, it IS his business!' said Five, 'and I'll tell him-it was for bringing
the cook tulip-roots instead of onions.'
Seven flung down his brush, and had just begun 'Well, of all the unjust
things-' when his eye chanced to fall upon Alice, as she stood watching them,
and he checked himself suddenly: the others looked round also, and all of
them bowed low.
'Would you tell me,' said Alice, a little timidly, 'why you are painting those roses?'
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