IV. Conclusion

That's the most important piece of evidence we've heard yet, said the King, rubbing his Hands
So now let the jury
If anyone of them can explain it, said Alice
She had grown so large in the last few minutes that she wasn't a bit afraid of interrupting Him
I'll give him sixpence
I don't believe there's an atom of meaning in it
The jury all wrote down on their slates
She doesn't believe there's an atom of meaning in it
But none of them attempted to explain the paper

If there's no meaning in it, said the King, that saves a world of trouble, you know, as we Needn't try to find any
And yet, I don't know, he went on, spreading out the verses on his knee, and looking at Them with one eye
I seem to see some meaning in them after all
Said I could not swim
You can't swim, can you?
He added, turning to the Knave
The Knave shook his head sadly
Do I look like it? he said
Which he certainly did not, being made entirely of cardboard
All right so far, said the King
And he went on muttering over the verses to himself
We know it to be true
That's the jury of course
I gave her one, they gave him two
Why, that must be what he did with the tarts, you know
But it goes on, they all returned from him to you, said Alice
Why, there there are! said the King triumphantly, pointing to the tarts on the table
Nothing can be clearer than that
Then again, before she had this fit
You never had fits, my dear, I think? he said to the Queen
Never! said the Queen, furiously throwing an inkstand at the Lizard as she spoke
Then the words don't fit you, said the King, looking round the court with a smile
There was a dead silence
It's a pun! the king added in an offended tone, and everybody laughed

Let the jury consider their verdict, the King said, for about the twentieth time that day
No, no! said the Queen
Sentence first, verdict afterwards
Stuff and nonsense! said Alice loudly
The idea of having the sentence first!
Hold your tongue! said the Queen, turning purple
I won't! said Alice
Off with her head! the Queen shouted at the top of her voice
Nobody moved

Who cares for you? said Alice
She had grown to her full size by this time
You're nothing but a pack of cards!
At this the whole pack rose up into the air, and came flying down upon her
She gave a little scream, half of fright and half of anger, and tried to beat them off
And found herself lying on the bank, with her head in the lap of her sister
Who was gently brushing away some dead leaves that had fluttered down from the trees Upon her face

Wake up, Alice dear! said her sister
Why, what a long sleep you've had!