Here one of the guinea-pigs cheered, and was immediately suppressed by the officers of the court. (As that is rather a hard word, I will just explain to you how it was done. They had a large canvas bag, which tied up at the mouth with strings: into this they slipped the guinea-pig, head first, and then sat upon it.) 

`I'm glad I've seen that done,' thought Alice. `I've so often read in the newspapers, at the end of trials, "There was some attempts at applause, which was immediately suppressed by the officers of the court," and I never understood what it meant till now.' 

`If that's all you know about it, you may stand down,' continued the King. 

`I can't go no lower,' said the Hatter: `I'm on the floor, as it is.'

`Then you may SIT down,' the King replied. 

Here the other guinea-pig cheered, and was suppressed. 

`Come, that finished the guinea-pigs!' thought Alice. `Now we shall get on better.' 

`I'd rather finish my tea,' said the Hatter, with an anxious look at the Queen, who was reading the list of singers. 

`You may go,' said the King, and the Hatter hurriedly left the court, without even waiting to put his shoes on. 

`--and just take his head off outside,' the Queen added to one of the officers: but the Hatter was out of sight before the officer could get to the door. 

`Call the next witness!' said the King.