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But that only makes eleven: we must find one more creature.

Oh, do you see a little white head, coming out behind the Mole, and just under the Duck’s beak? That makes up the twelve.

Mr. Tenniel says the screaming bird is a Storkling (of course you know what that is?) and the little white head is a Mouseling. Isn’t it a little darling?

Alice picked them all up again, very carefully, and I hope they weren’t much hurt!

Chapter XIV.

The Shower of Cards

OH dear, oh dear! What is it all about? And what’s happening to Alice?

Well, I’ll tell you all about it, as well I can. The way the trial ended was this. The King wanted the Jury to settle whether the Knave of Hearts was guilty or not guilty—that means that they were to settle whether he had stolen the Tarts, or if somebody else had taken them. But the wicked Queen wanted to have his punishment settled, first of all. That wasn’t at all fair, was it? Because, you know, supposing he never took the Tarts, then of course he oughtn’t to be punished. Would you like to be punished for something you hadn’t done?

So Alice said “Stuff and nonsense!”

So the Queen said “Off with her head!” (Just what she always said, when she was angry.)

So Alice said “Who cares for you? You’re nothing but a pack of cards!”

So they were all very angry, and flew up into the air, and came tumbling down again, all over Alice, just like a shower of rain.

And I think you’ll never guess what happened next. The next thing was, Alice woke up out of her curious dream. And she found that the cards were only some leaves off the tree, that the wind had blown down upon her face.

Wouldn’t it be a nice thing to have a curious dream, just like Alice?

The best plan is this. First lie down under a tree, and wait till a White Rabbit runs by, with a watch in his hand: then shut your eyes, and pretend to be dear little Alice.

Good-bye, Alice dear, good-bye!

THE END.

PART IX

REFLECTIONS ON THE NURSERY “ALICE”

By Kent David Kelly

Secrets in the Illustrations

THE ILLUSTRATIONS that appear in the published edition of The Nursery “Alice” are, as a collective representation of Wonderland, incomplete. Those few illustrations which do appear in the book are largely identical to the earlier versions, except for coloration (which cannot be reproduced on the Kindle). As such, they are not repeated here. However, the few differences and added details which are interesting and new are elaborated upon here for the curious reader.

A Change of Allegiance: One of the soldiers, who originally had a tabard with Club symbols down the front, now has red Hearts as his insignia instead.

The Drunken Knave: The Knave of Hearts has a red nose, which makes it clear (in Tenniel’s drawing style) that he is a lush as well as a rogue!

A Well-Dressed Man-Rabbit: The White Rabbit carries a gold watch and a blue umbrella. His yellow shirt (surmounted by a blue necktie) is covered by a brown-checked waistcoat, with a red kerchief stuffed into the pocket. Interestingly, his paws are flesh-colored, and are very clearly intended to be hands instead of paws.

Alice Keeps Up With Fashion: Alice has a blue hair bow (kept in place by a hairband) and a blue dress bow, which do not appear in the original illustrations. These changes reflect advancements in style from the 1860s to 1890. Her stockings are blue, and her pinafore is white with blue edging. The classic dress, which is traditionally colored baby blue in later iterations, is actually a golden yellow-orange.

Dodo’s Evolution: Much like the White Rabbit, the Dodo is meticulously rendered in appropriate colors, but his hands are flesh-colored. He clearly incorporates some elements of Lewis Carroll himself!

An Oriental Caterpillar: Reflecting the nature and source of opium, the Caterpillar is revealed to have gold-cloth sleeves over his forearms. The rest of his body is a thoroughly unclothed and dreamy shade of blue.

The Colors of a Cat: The Cheshire-Cat is revealed to be a tabby, with brown