“Would you tell me,” said Alice, a little timidly, “why are you painting those roses?”

Five and Seven said nothing, but looked at Two. Two began in a low voice,”Why the fact is, you see, Miss, this here ought to have been a RED rose-tree, and we put a white one in by mistake;

and if the Queen was to find out, we should all have our heads cut off, you know. So you see, Miss, we’re doing our best, afore she comes, to–

At this moment, Five, who had been anxiously looking across the garden, called out, “The Queen! The Queen!” and the three gardeners instantly threw themselves flat upon their faces…

****

…“The Queen turned crimson with fury, and, after glaring at her for a moment like a wild beast, screamed ‘Off with her head! Off—’
‘Nonsense!’ said Alice, very loudly and decidedly, and the Queen was silent.”

―     Lewis Carroll,     Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

*Did you know that the Queen of Hearts and Red Queen are two different characters but often used interchangeably?