‘Herald, read the accusation!’ said the King. 🔊

On this the White Rabbit blew three blasts on the trumpet, and then

unrolled the parchment scroll, and read as follows:-- 🔊

‘The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts,

All on a summer day: 🔊

The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts,

And took them quite away!’ 🔊

‘Consider your verdict,’ the King said to the jury. 🔊

‘Not yet, not yet!’ the Rabbit hastily interrupted. ‘There’s a great

deal to come before that!’ 🔊

‘Call the first witness,’ said the King; 🔊 and the White Rabbit blew three

blasts on the trumpet, and called out, ‘First witness!’ 🔊

The first witness was the Hatter. He came in with a teacup in one

hand and a piece of bread-and-butter in the other. 🔊 ‘I beg pardon, your

Majesty,’ he began, ‘for bringing these in: but I hadn’t quite finished

my tea when I was sent for.’ 🔊