‘They’re putting down their names,’ the Gryphon whispered in reply, ‘for

fear they should forget them before the end of the trial.’ 🔊

‘Stupid things!’ Alice began in a loud, indignant voice, 🔊 but she stopped

hastily, for the White Rabbit cried out, ‘Silence in the court!’ and the

King put on his spectacles and looked anxiously round, to make out who

was talking. 🔊

Alice could see, as well as if she were looking over their shoulders,

that all the jurors were writing down ‘stupid things!’ on their slates, 🔊

and she could even make out that one of them didn’t know how to spell

‘stupid,’ and that he had to ask his neighbour to tell him. 🔊 ‘A nice

muddle their slates’ll be in before the trial’s over!’ thought Alice. 🔊

One of the jurors had a pencil that squeaked. 🔊 This of course, Alice

could not stand, and she went round the court and got behind him, and

very soon found an opportunity of taking it away. 🔊 She did it so quickly

that the poor little juror (it was Bill, the Lizard) could not make out

at all what had become of it; 🔊 so, after hunting all about for it, he was

obliged to write with one finger for the rest of the day; and this was

of very little use, as it left no mark on the slate. 🔊