`Thinking again?' the Duchess asked, with another dig of her
sharp little chin.

`I've a right to think,' said Alice sharply, for she was
beginning to feel a little worried.

`Just about as much right,' said the Duchess, `as pigs have to fly;
and the m--'

But here, to Alice's great surprise, the Duchess's voice died
away, even in the middle of her favourite word `moral,' and the
arm that was linked into hers began to tremble. Alice looked up,
and there stood the Queen in front of them, with her arms folded,
frowning like a thunderstorm.

`A fine day, your Majesty!' the Duchess began in a low, weak
voice.

`Now, I give you fair warning,' shouted the Queen, stamping on
the ground as she spoke; `either you or your head must be off,
and that in about half no time! Take your choice!'

The Duchess took her choice, and was gone in a moment.

`Let's go on with the game,' the Queen said to Alice; and Alice
was too much frightened to say a word, but slowly followed her
back to the croquet-ground.

The other guests had taken advantage of the Queen's absence,