thought Alice. ‘I wonder what they’ll do next! As for pulling me out of the window, I only wish they could! I’m sure I don’t want to stay in here any longer!’

She waited for some time without hearing anything more: at last came a rumbling of little cartwheels, and the sound of a good many voices all talking together: she made out the words: ‘Where’s the other ladder? — Why, I hadn’t to bring but one; Bill’s got the other — Bill!

fetch it here, lad! — Here, put ‘em up at this corner — No, tie ‘em together first — they don’t reach half high enough yet — Oh! they’ll do well enough; don’t be particular — Here, Bill! catch hold of this rope — Will the roof bear? — Mind that loose slate —