Алиса в Стране чудес. Алиса в Зазеркалье / Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Through the Looking Glass

�I wonder what they’ll do next! As for pulling me out of the window, I only wish they could! I’m sure I don’t want to stay in here any longer!’

She waited for some time without hearing anything more: at last came a rumbling of little cartwheels, and the sound of a good many voices all talking together; she made out the words: �Where’s the other ladder? – Why, I hadn’t to bring but one; Bill’s got the other – Bill! fetch it here, lad! – Here, put ’em up at this corner – No, tie �em together first – they don’t reach half high enough yet – Oh! they’ll do well enough; don’t be particular – Here, Bill! catch hold of this rope – Will the roof bear? – Mind that loose slate – Oh, it’s coming down! Heads below!’ (a loud crash) – �Now, who did that? – It was Bill, I fancy – Who’s to go down the chimney? – Nay, I shan’t! You do it! – That I won’t, then! – Bill’s to go down – Here, Bill! the master says you’re to go down the chimney!’

�Oh! So Bill’s got to come down the chimney, has he?’ said Alice to herself.

She drew her foot as far down the chimney as she could, and waited till she heard a little animal (she couldn’t guess of what sort it was) scratching and scrambling about in the chimney close above her: then, saying to herself, �This is Bill,’ she gave one sharp kick, and waited to see what would happen next.

The first thing she heard was a general chorus of, �There goes Bill!’ then the Rabbit’s voice alone – �Catch him, you by the hedge!’ then silence, and then another confusion of voices – �Hold up his head – Brandy now – Don’t choke him – How was it, old fellow? What happened to you? Tell us all about it!’

Last came a little feeble, squeaking voice, (�That’s Bill,’ thought Alice,) �Well, I hardly know – No more, thank ye; I’m better now – but I’m a deal too flustered to tell you – all I know is, something comes at me like a Jack-in-the-box, and up I goes like a sky-rocket!’

�So you did, old fellow!’ said the others.