The card gardeners in the Castle of Hearts were panicked. The princess was coming, and all the roses were still white! It was a disaster!

First came ten soldiers carrying clubs; these were all shaped like the three gardeners, oblong and flat, with their hands and feet at the corners: next the ten courtiers; these were ornamented all over 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, and among them Alice recognised the White Pirate Rabbit: he was talking in a hurried manner, going by without noticing you. Then followed the Knight of Spades, carrying the Princess's Locket on a crimson velvet cushion; and, last of all this grand procession, came the Princess of Hearts.

When the procession came opposite to you, they all stopped and looked at her, and the princess said severely, "Who is this?" She said it to the Knight of Spades, who only bowed and smiled in reply

"Idiot!" said the princess, tossing her head impatiently; and, turning to you, she went on, "Hey, you! What's your name?"