`` You 'd better not talk ! '' said Five , `` I heard the Queen say only yesterday she thought of having you beheaded ! '' `` What for ? '' said the one who had spoken first . `` That 's not your business , Two ! '' said Seven . `` Yes , it is his business ! '' said Five , `` and I 'll tell him : it was for bringing in tulip-roots to the cook instead of potatoes . '' Seven flung down his brush , and had just begun `` well ! Of all the unjust things -- '' when his eye fell upon Alice , and he stopped suddenly ; the others looked round , and all of them took off their hats and bowed low . `` Would you tell me , please , '' said Alice timidly , `` why you are painting those roses ? '' Five and Seven looked at Two , but said nothing : Two began , in a low voice , `` why , Miss , the fact is , this ought to have been a red rose tree , and we put a white one in by mistake , and if the Queen was to find it out , we should all have our heads cut off . So , you see , we 're doing our best , before she comes , to -- '' At this moment Five , who had been looking anxiously across the garden called out `` the Queen ! the Queen ! '' and the three gardeners instantly threw themselves flat upon their faces . There was a sound of many footsteps , and Alice looked round , eager to see the Queen . First came ten soldiers carrying clubs ; these were all shaped like the three gardeners , flat and oblong , with their hands and feet at the corners : next the ten courtiers ; these were all ornamented with diamonds , and walked two and two , as the soldiers did . After these came the Royal children : there were ten of them , and the little dears came jumping merrily along , hand in hand , in couples : they were all ornamented with hearts . Next came the guests , mostly kings and queens , among whom Alice recognised the white rabbit : it was talking in a hurried nervous manner , smiling at everything that was said , and went by without noticing her . Then followed the Knave of Hearts , carrying the King 's crown on a cushion , and , last of all this grand procession , came THE KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS .
-LSB- Illustration -RSB- When the procession came opposite to Alice , they all stopped and looked at her , and the Queen XXXXX severely `` who is this ? ''
began bringing carrying cut ornamented painting recognised said see talking