[The FROG looks at the door, and rubs his thumb on it to see if the paint will come off.] To answer the door? What's it been asking for? ALICE I don't know what you mean. FROG I speaks English, doesn't I? Or are you deaf? What did it ask you? ALICE Nothing! I've been knocking at it. FROG Shouldn't do that shouldn't do that, vexes it, you know. [He kicks the door.] You let it alone, and it'll let you alone, you know. ALICE Oh, there's no use talking to you — [She starts to open the door just as the DUCHESS comes out carrying a pig in baby's clothes. She sneezes — FROG sneezes and ALICE sneezes.] ALICE There's certainly too much pepper in the soup. DUCHESS Sneeze then and get rid of it! [DUCHESS begins to sing to the baby, giving it a violent shake at the end of every line of the lullaby.] "Speak roughly to your little boy, And beat him when he sneezes; [FROG and ALICE sneeze.] He only does it to annoy, Because he knows it teases. [DUCHESS sneezes, FROG sneezes, ALICE sneezes.] I speak severely to my boy, I beat him when he sneezes; [FROG sneezes, ALICE sneezes.] For he can thoroughly enjoy The pepper when he pleases!' [DUCHESS sneezes, FROG sneezes, ALICE sneezes, DUCHESS gasps and gives a tremendous sneeze.] ALICE Oh dear! [She jumps aside as kettles and pots come flying out of the door. The DUCHESS pays no attention.] What a cook to have! [She calls inside.] Oh! please mind what you're doing! |