Isabel in Sproutland

Chapter 11: In Queen Melanie's Garden

Melanie: Hum... Who's been painting my roses pink? Who's been painting my roses pink? Who dares to taint, with vulgar paint, the royal flower bed? For painting my roses pink, someone will lose his head!
Penguin 1: Oh, no! Your majesty! Please, it's all his fault!
Penguin 2: Not me, your grace! The ace, the ace!
Melanie: You?
Penguin 3: No, Two!
Melanie: The Deuce you say?
Penguin 2: Not me, the Three!
Melanie: That's enough! Off with their heads!
Penguins: They're going to lose their heads, for painting the roses pink, it serves them right, they planted white, the roses should be pink. Oh, they're going to lose their head...
Melanie: Silence!
Isabel: Oh, please, please! They were only trying to...
Melanie: And who is this?
Pingu: Uh... well, well, well, now, eh... let me see, my dear. It certainly isn't a penguin... do you suppose it's a seal?
Melanie: Why, it's a little girl.
Isabel: Yes, and- and I was hoping...
Melanie: Look up, speak nicely, and don't twiddle your fingers! Turn out your toes. Curtsey. Open your mouth a little wider, and always say 'yes, your majesty'!
Isabel: Yes, your majesty!
Melanie: Hmhmhmhm. Now, um, where do you come from, and where are you going?
Isabel: Well, um, I'm trying to find my way home...
Melanie: Your way? All ways here are my ways!
Isabel: Well, yes, I know, but I was just thinking...
Melanie: Curtsey while you're thinking, it saves time.
Isabel: Yes, your majesty, but I was only going to ask...
Melanie: I'll ask the questions! Do you play croquet?
Isabel: Why, yes, your majesty.
Melanie: Then let the game begin!
Pingu: In your places, in your places, By order of the king! Hurry, hurry, hurry!
Melanie: Shuffle deck! Penguin cut! Deal penguins! Penguins, halt! ... Silence!... Off with his head!
Pingu: Off with his head, off with his head! By order of the king. You heard what she said!
Melanie: You're next!
Isabel: Oh, but...
Melanie: Hahaha... my dear.
Isabel: Ahhh...Yes, your majesty.
Melanie: Hmhmhmhmhm....
Penguins: Hahahahaha!
Isabel: Do you want us both to lose our heads? Well, I don't!
Penguins: Hahahaha... Hurray!
Cheshire Chicken: La la la da da dum... la la la hmm... I say, how are you getting on?
Isabel: Not at all.
Cheshire Chicken: Beg your pardon?
Isabel: I said 'not at all'!
Melanie: Whom are you talking to?
Isabel: Oh, uh... a chicken, your majesty!
Melanie: chicken? Where?
Isabel: There! Oh... Oh there he is again!
Melanie: I warn you child, if I lose my temper, you lose your head, understand?
Cheshire Chicken: You know, we could make her really angry. Shall we try?
Isabel: Oh no no!