Alice's Adventures Under Ground: “I’ve Sent Them All”

The White King: (Delightedly) I've sent them all! Did you happen to meet any

Soldiers, my dear, as you came through the wood?

Alice: Yes, several thousand.

The White King: (Joy) Four thousand two hundred and seven, that's the

Exact number. I couldn't send all the horses, because two

Of them are wanted in the game. And I haven't sent two

Messengers, either. They've both gone to the town. Just

Look along the road, and tell me if you see either of them

Alice: I see nobody

The White King: I wish I had such eyes! To be able to see Nobody! And at

That distance too! It's as much as I can do to see real people!

Alice: I see somebody now! But he's coming very slowly

And what curious attitudes he goes into!

(The messenger keeps skipping up and down, and wriggling like an eel, as he comes along, with his great hands spread out like fans on each side)

The White King: Not at all. He's an Anglo-Saxon and those are

Anglo-Saxon attitudes

(To the messenger) Who did you pass on the road?

Messenger: Nobody

The White King: Quite right. This young lady saw him too! So of course

Nobody walks slower than you

(The Messenger exits. Alice and the White King walk along in silence

The White King: Ten minutes for refreshments!

(Trays of white and brown bread are handed around)