The game went on, but all the time the Queen was arguing, and shouting ‘Off with his head!’ or ‘Off with her head!’ Soon there were no hoops left, because the soldiers (who were the hoops) were too busy taking everybody to prison. And at the end there were only three players left – the King, the Queen, and Alice.
The Queen stopped shouting and said to Alice, ‘Have you seen the Mock Turtle yet?’
‘No,’ said Alice. ‘I’m not sure what a Mock Turtle is.’
‘Then come with me,’ said the Queen.
‘They found the Mock Turtle down by the sea. Next to him was a Gryphon, asleep in the sun. Then the Queen hurried away, saying, ‘I have to get on with some executions.’
The Gryphon woke up, and said sleepily to Alice, ‘It’s just talk, you know. They never execute anybody.’
Alice was pleased to hear this. She felt a little afraid of the Gryphon and the Mock Turtle, because they were so large. Nut they were very friendly, and sang songs and told her many stories about their lives. The Mock Turtle was in the middle of a very sad song when they all heard a shout a long way away: ‘It’s beginning!’
‘Come on! We must hurry!’ cried the Gryphon. It took Alice by the hand and began to run.
