her in her despair. In the darkness she cries, “Oh! I’m slipping! Oh, Oh! it’s a lake; Oh! my tears! I’m floating!” A mysterious light shows a “Drink me” sign around a bottle on the top of the table. Alice floats up to it panting, and holding on to the edge of the table takes up the bottle.]

Alice

It isn’t marked poison.

[She sips at it.]

This is good! Tastes like cherry tart, custard, pineapple, roast turkey, toffy and hot buttered toast—all together. Oh! Oh! I’m letting out like a telescope.

[A mysterious light shows her lengthening out.]

[Music.]

But the lake is rising too. Oh! Oh! it’s deep! I’m drowning. Help, help, I’m drowning, I’m drowning in my tears!

Gryphon

Hjckrrh. Hjckrrh!

[The Gryphon, a huge green creature with big glittering wings, appears where Humpty Dumpty had been and reaches glittering claws over to grab and save Alice.]

SCENE FOUR

Is symbolic of a wet and rocky shore in a weird green light. The Mock Turtle is weeping dismally.

Gryphon

Hjckrrh. Hjckrrh. Hjckrrh.

Mock Turtle

[Answers with his weeping.]

Gryphon

[Drags Alice in.]

Drop your tears into the sea with his.

Alice

He sobs as if he had a bone in his throat. He sighs as if his heart would break. What is his sorrow?

Mock Turtle

Oh, Gryphon, it’s terrible!

Gryphon

It’s all his fancy that. Mock Turtle hasn’t got no sorrow. This here young lady, she wants for to know your history, she do.

Mock Turtle

I’ll tell it her. Sit down both of you, and don’t speak a word till I’ve finished.

Alice

I don’t see how you can ever finish, if you don’t begin.

Mock Turtle

Once, I was a real Turtle.

[A long silence is broken only by the exclamations, “Hjckrrh,” of the Gryphon and the heavy sobbing of the Mock Turtle.]

Mock Turtle

When we were little, we went to school in the sea. The master was an old Turtle—we used to call him tortoise—

Alice

Why did you call him Tortoise, if he wasn’t one?

Mock Turtle

We called him Tortoise because he taught us; really you are very dull.

Gryphon

You ought to be ashamed of yourself for asking such a simple question. Drive on, old fellow! Don’t be all day about it!

Mock Turtle

Yes, we went to school in the sea, tho’ you mayn’t believe it—

Alice

I never said I didn’t.

Mock Turtle

You did.

Gryphon

Hold your tongue!

Mock Turtle

We had the best of educations—in fact, we went to school every day.

Alice

I’ve been to a day school too; you needn’t be so proud as all that.

Mock Turtle

With extras?

Alice

Yes, we learned French and music.

Mock Turtle

And washing?

Alice

Certainly not!