Even the Duchess sneezed occasionally ; and as for the baby , it was sneezing and howling alternately without a moment 's pause . The only things in the kitchen that did not sneeze , were the cook , and a large cat which was sitting on the hearth and grinning from ear to ear . ` Please would you tell me , ' said Alice , a little timidly , for she was not quite sure whether it was good manners for her to speak first , ` why your cat grins like that ? ' ` It 's a Cheshire cat , ' said the Duchess , ` and that 's why . Pig ! ' She said the last word with such sudden violence that Alice quite jumped ; but she saw in another moment that it was addressed to the baby , and not to her , so she took courage , and went on again : -- ' I did n't know that Cheshire cats always grinned ; in fact , I did n't know that cats COULD grin . ' ` They all can , ' said the Duchess ; ` and most of 'em do . ' ' I do n't know of any that do , ' Alice said very politely , feeling quite pleased to have got into a conversation . ` You do n't know much , ' said the Duchess ; ` and that 's a fact . ' Alice did not at all like the tone of this remark , and thought it would be as well to introduce some other subject of conversation . While she was trying to fix on one , the cook took the cauldron of soup off the fire , and at once set to work throwing everything within her reach at the Duchess and the baby -- the fire-irons came first ; then followed a shower of saucepans , plates , and dishes . The Duchess took no notice of them even when they hit her ; and the baby was howling so much already , that it was quite impossible to say whether the blows hurt it or not . ` Oh , PLEASE mind what you 're doing ! ' cried Alice , jumping up and down in an agony of terror . ` Oh , there goes his PRECIOUS nose ' ; as an unusually large saucepan flew close by it , and very nearly carried it off . ` If everybody minded their own business , ' the Duchess said in a hoarse growl , ` the world would go round a deal faster than it does . ' ` Which would NOT be an advantage , ' said Alice , who felt very glad to get an opportunity of showing off a little of her knowledge . ` Just think of what work it would make with the day and night ! You see the earth takes twenty-four hours to turn round on its axis -- ' ` Talking of axes , ' said the Duchess , ` chop off her head ! ' Alice glanced rather anxiously at the cook , to see if she meant to take the hint ; but the cook was busily stirring the soup , and seemed not to be listening , so she went on again : ` Twenty-four hours , I THINK ; or is it twelve ?
I -- ' ` Oh , do n't bother ME , ' said the XXXXX ; ' I never could abide figures ! '
Alice Cheshire Duchess cauldron fire first hours night saucepans violence