"A nasty vicious temper," the White Queen remarked; and then there was an uncomfortable silence for a month or two.
The White Queen broke the silence by saying to the Red Queen, "I invite you to ALICE's Party—which used to be neutral ground—to explain, if you can, that nondescript nonsense of yours about National Councils as a substitute for Home Rule."
The Red Queen smiled sourly, and said, "And I invite you"
"I didn't know I was to have a Party at all," said ALICE. "Parties are things I don't hold with, as a rule; too great a tax and a tie. I like my freedom, I do. But, if I am to have one, I think I ought to invite the guests."
"ALICE of Thunderland, you require some lessons in manners," the White Queen remarked.
"Manners are not taught in lessons," said ALICE. "Lessons teach some people to do sums, and things of that sort."
"Can you do addition?" the Red Queen asked scornfully of the White. ("Bah, she can't do sums a bit!" she added, aside.)
"She is doubtless better at Division," interposed ALICE, significantly.
"Divide a State by a Statutory Parliament," said the Red Queen, with a derisive wink. "What's the right answer to that?"
"Much the same as dividing a Nation by an indefinite number of Councils," retorted the White Queen, smartly. "Talk about tu quoques, there's one for you!"