`Nothing,’ said Alice.

`Nothing WHATEVER?’ persisted the King.

`Nothing whatever,’ said Alice.

`That’s very important,’ the King said, turning to the jury. They were just beginning to write this down on their slates, when the White Rabbit interrupted: `UNimportant, your Majesty means, of course,’ he said in a very respectful tone, but frowning and making faces at him as he spoke.

`UNimportant, of course, I meant,’ the King hastily said, and went on to himself in an undertone, `important–unimportant– unimportant–important–’ as if he were trying which word sounded best.