"That's true," murmured Alice, walking through the area and very determinedly paying the statue no mind, "but if that's the case, I shudder to think of what's happened to me in my absence." According to Doctor Bumby, however, the past had to be paid for. Still, hadn't she paid enough for it already? Wouldn't it be alright to move on at last and try to live an at least somewhat happy life?

Besides that, there was the little matter of none of Alice's own delusions having lasted weeks or even moths at a time. Days, yes, but never this long. Perhaps she was dead, or nearly so. Why else would she have been dreaming for so long?