An invitation from the Queen

to play croquet.’ 🔊 The Frog-Footman repeated, in the same solemn tone,

only changing the order of the words a little, ‘From the Queen. 🔊 An

invitation for the Duchess to play croquet.’ 🔊

Then they both bowed low, and their curls got entangled together. 🔊

Alice laughed so much at this, that she had to run back into the

wood for fear of their hearing her; 🔊 and when she next peeped out the

Fish-Footman was gone, and the other was sitting on the ground near the

door, staring stupidly up into the sky. 🔊

Alice went timidly up to the door, and knocked. 🔊

‘There’s no sort of use in knocking,’ said the Footman, ‘and that for

two reasons. 🔊 First, because I’m on the same side of the door as you

are; secondly, because they’re making such a noise inside, no one could

possibly hear you.’ 🔊 And certainly there was a most extraordinary noise

going on within-- 🔊a constant howling and sneezing, and every now and then

a great crash, as if a dish or kettle had been broken to pieces. 🔊