[Noticing the Knave who still pretends to be an arch.]

How can you go on thinking so quietly, with your head downwards?


Knave

What does it matter where my body happens to be? My mind goes on working just the same. The fact of it is, the more head downwards I am, the more I keep on inventing new things.

King

Did you happen to meet any soldiers, my dear, as you came through the wood?

Alice

Yes, I did; several thousand I should think.

King

Four thousand, two hundred and seven, that’s the exact number. They couldn’t send all the horses, you know, because two of them are wanted in the game. And I haven’t sent the two messengers, either.