QUEEN ALICE

At this moment the door was flung open, and a shrill voice was heard singing:

‘To the Looking-Glass world it was Alice that said “I’ve a sceptre in hand, I’ve a crown on my head. Let the Looking-Glass creatures, whatever they be Come and dine with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!”‘ And hundreds of voices joined in the chorus:  ‘Then fill up the glasses as quick as you can, And sprinkle the table with buttons and bran: Put cats in the coffee, and mice in the tea — And welcome Queen Alice with thirty-times-three!’

Then followed a confused noise of cheering, and Alice thought to herself `Thirty times three makes ninety. I wonder if any one’s counting?’ In a minute there was silence again, and the same shrill voice sang another verse:

‘”O Looking-Glass creatures,” quoth Alice, “draw near! ‘Tis an honour to see me, a favour to hear: ‘Tis a privilege high to have dinner and tea Along with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!”‘ Then came the chorus again:  ‘Then fill up the glasses with treacle and ink, Or anything else that is pleasant to drink: Mix sand with the cider, and wool with the wine — And welcome Queen Alice with ninety-times-nine!’

Carnation, posies, and white amber with a hint of inky treacle, sandy cider, and wooly wine.