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CHAPTER X

THE COURT OF THE PANJANDRUM

Order, order, order!” called the Young Man, Father William’s son.

And with much arranging of tails, for many of them were animals, and minding of toes, they all settled in their places, and stared very hard at Lucy, who was sitting close to the hedge all by herself, looking very fierce and determined.

“Silence in the court!” called the Young Man, but not one of them stopped talking for a single minute.

“Look at her,” said the Lobster, “she looks as cross as if she had lost a claw. Why can’t she make up her mind to settle down and stay with us, and be comfortable?”

“She said she would find her way out of Nonsense Land,” said the Walrus, “but she hasn’t done it, and I knew she wouldn’t do it.”

The Grand Panjandrum rose in his seat.

“Know all men by these presents,” shouted the Young Man.

“Where are the presents?” asked the Carpenter, but nobody took any notice of him.

“All right,” said the Pussy Cat, “we know all about that, go on to the next part. Call Anthony Rowley.”

So the Young Man looked at the Grand Panjandrum, the Grand Panjandrum nodded, and the Young Man called at the top of his voice:

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