‘You may go,’ said the King, and the Hatter hurriedly left the court,

without even waiting to put his shoes on. 🔊

‘--and just take his head off outside,’ the Queen added to one of the

officers: but the Hatter was out of sight before the officer could get

to the door. 🔊

‘Call the next witness!’ said the King. 🔊

The next witness was the Duchess’s cook. 🔊 She carried the pepper-box in

her hand, and Alice guessed who it was, even before she got into the

court, by the way the people near the door began sneezing all at once. 🔊

‘Give your evidence,’ said the King.

‘Shan’t,’ said the cook. 🔊

The King looked anxiously at the White Rabbit, who said in a low voice,

‘Your Majesty must cross-examine this witness.’ 🔊

‘Well, if I must, I must,’ the King said, with a melancholy air, 🔊 and,

after folding his arms and frowning at the cook till his eyes were

nearly out of sight, he said in a deep voice, ‘What are tarts made of?’ 🔊

‘Pepper, mostly,’ said the cook. 🔊