` Speak when you 're spoken to ! ' The Queen sharply interrupted her . ` But if everybody obeyed that rule , ' said Alice , who was always ready for a little argument , ` and if you only spoke when you were spoken to , and the other person always waited for YOU to begin , you see nobody would ever say anything , so that -- ' ` Ridiculous ! ' cried the Queen . ` Why , do n't you see , child -- ' here she broke off with a frown , and , after thinking for a minute , suddenly changed the subject of the conversation . ` What do you mean by `` If you really are a Queen '' ? What right have you to call yourself so ? You ca n't be a Queen , you know , till you 've passed the proper examination . And the sooner we begin it , the better . ' ' I only said `` if '' ! ' poor Alice pleaded in a piteous tone . The two Queens looked at each other , and the Red Queen remarked , with a little shudder , ` She SAYS she only said `` if '' -- ' ` But she said a great deal more than that ! ' the White Queen moaned , wringing her hands . ` Oh , ever so much more than that ! ' ` So you did , you know , ' the Red Queen said to Alice . ` Always speak the truth -- think before you speak -- and write it down afterwards . ' ` I 'm sure I did n't mean -- ' Alice was beginning , but the Red Queen interrupted her impatiently . ` That 's just what I complain of ! You SHOULD have meant ! What do you suppose is the use of child without any meaning ?
Even a joke should have some meaning -- and a XXXXX 's more important than a joke , I hope .
Queens child deal examination frown hands shudder subject tone truth