Alice's Life in Wonderland

Chapter Nine - An Invitation and What Happened After That

The spring weeks had passed and replaced by the summer months. The trees in the Fantasy Woods had all turned into a cool shade of green. Sunlight shone and on the ground, there appeared shades of different patterns.

Katrina Cheshire (a.k.a. Kitty) strolled along the sidewalk, accompanying her father the Cheshire Cat. She was admiring the lovely summer weather when she saw...

"Daddy, daddy! It's Mr. Hatter and Miss Alice!"

"And so it is," grinned Cheshire and disappeared.

Hatter and Alice were walking down the lane towards their shop when suddenly Cheshire appeared.

"Boo!" it screeched, ruining the beautiful summer morning quiet.

"Cheshire, morning," greeted Hatter and he tipped his hat.

"Are we expecting Kitty today?" asked Alice.

"Miss Alice!" cried the little cat girl and she wrapped her arms around her legs. "Morning! Are we going to have tea?"

"Yes, I guess," replied Alice with a smile. "If your father agrees."

"Or why are we here?" asked the cat with a coy smile.

"Maybe for a walk," suggested Alice when a pot flew over her head and crashed into a nearby tree, making a terrible noise.

"Hare!" the three said in unison and turned to see Hare holding a wagon of pots and pans. Dormouse sulked from behind.

"Look at the time! Its eight now. Run to the shop and make haste!" cried the March Hare.

Hatter and Alice laughed as they held hands and rushed down the walk.

"Now look," sighed Dormouse. "He's happy and she's happy and we're all unhappy."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Cheshire.

"Well," began Hare. "Hatter is happy at Alice's presence and Alice at his. And you can perfectly see from their eyes how much they do care about each other, furface."

"It may be," nodded the Cheshire Cat thoughtfully. "It may be."

At ten later that day, Florence came to the shop as usual with Bunny behind. She held her head up high as she entered and smiled as Hatter approached.

"Sit down, Hatter. I have something to tell you."

"Yes, Florence."

"You know that the annual Mid-summer ball is coming, don't you?"

"Perhaps?" Hatter said in an unsure tone.

"You'll come as usual right?"

"Umm... yes?" but inside, he was hoping he could spend some time with Alice.

"And you will dance with me for the first dance, right?"

"Uh... right."

"Good, and I'll give you the permission to bring someone with you."

"Okay... what? Really?"

"Yes, but not Hare or Dormouse please and only one."

"Okay! Okay!"

Hatter's heart leapt with joy, he could bring Alice!

At the counter, Alice's heart became hollow as he saw Hatter's happy face and the Queen's delight.

"Are you alright?" Bunny asked and she stopped their actual conversation.

Alice wanted to say no, but she just sputtered, "Yes!"