Monday, 16 September 2013

The Dodo presents the thimble to Alice

The Dodo presents the thimble to Alice, an illustration by JVL in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Artists' Choice Editions, 2009.

The text:

At last the Dodo said, `EVERYBODY has won, and all must have
prizes.'
  `But who is to give the prizes?' quite a chorus of voices
asked.
  `Why, SHE, of course,' said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with
one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her,
calling out in a confused way, `Prizes! Prizes!'
  Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand
in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt
water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes.
There was exactly one a-piece all round.
  `But she must have a prize herself, you know,' said the Mouse.
  `Of course,' the Dodo replied very gravely.  `What else have
you got in your pocket?' he went on, turning to Alice.
  `Only a thimble,' said Alice sadly.
  `Hand it over here,' said the Dodo.
  Then they all crowded round her once more, while the Dodo
solemnly presented the thimble, saying `We beg your acceptance of
this elegant thimble'; and, when it had finished this short
speech, they all cheered.
  Alice thought the whole thing very absurd, but they all looked
so grave that she did not dare to laugh; and, as she could not
think of anything to say, she simply bowed, and took the thimble,
looking as solemn as she could.

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