'What IS the matter?' she said, as soon as there was a chance
of making herself heard. 'Have you pricked your finger?'

'I haven't pricked it YET,' the Queen said, 'but I soon shall--
oh, oh, oh!'

'When do you expect to do it?' Alice asked, feeling very much
inclined to laugh.

'When I fasten my shawl again,' the poor Queen groaned out:
'the brooch will come undone directly. Oh, oh!' As she said the
words the brooch flew open, and the Queen clutched wildly at it,
and tried to clasp it again.

'Take care!' cried Alice. 'You're holding it all crooked!'
And she caught at the brooch; but it was too late: the pin had
slipped, and the Queen had pricked her finger.

'That accounts for the bleeding, you see,' she said to Alice
with a smile. 'Now you understand the way things happen here.'

'But why don't you scream now?' Alice asked, holding her hands
ready to put over her ears again.

'Why, I've done all the screaming already,' said the Queen.
'What would be the good of having it all over again?'

By this time it was getting light. 'The crow must have flown
away, I think,' said Alice: 'I'm so glad it's gone. I thought