Thats very important,’ the King said, turning to the jury. 🔊 They were

just beginning to write this down on their slates, when the White Rabbit

interrupted: ‘Unimportant, your Majesty means, of course,’ he said in a

very respectful tone, but frowning and making faces at him as he spoke. 🔊

 

Unimportant, of course, I meant,’ the King hastily said, and went on

to himself in an undertone,

 

important--unimportant--unimportant--important--’ as if he were trying

which word sounded best. 🔊

 

Some of the jury wrote it downimportant,’ and someunimportant.’ 🔊

Alice could see this, as she was near enough to look over their slates;

but it doesn’t matter a bit,’ she thought to herself. 🔊

 

At this moment the King, who had been for some time busily writing in

his note-book, cackled outSilence!’ and read out from his book, ‘Rule

Forty-two. All persons more than a mile high to leave the court.’ 🔊

 

Everybody looked at Alice. 🔊

 

I’m not a mile high,’ said Alice.

 

You are,’ said the King.

 

Nearly two miles high,’ added the Queen. 🔊