After a long moment, the Hatter gently unwrapped Alice's arms and took a step back.
"Alice," his voice was still breathy with shock, "you've come back."
"I missed you even more than I realized," Alice smiled sadly. The Hatter stood quickly back from the door.
"Come in, come in," he urged. "I must hurry and make you some clothes. You're just in time for tea."
Alice stepped through the doorway and smiled to herself. Of course the Hatter wouldn't close himself in, he longed for space and freedom. What Alice had thought was a house was in fact nothing more than a wall and a roof to keep the sun from fading his fabrics.
How does it stay up, I winder? I suppose it's simply Wonderland magic.
The Hatter grabbed a roll of fabric and a pair of scissors, his hands moving so fast they blurred. He hurried to his sewing machine and slid the fabric back and forth. Within seconds he had a dress to hand to Alice.
"Try this on for size," he offered, and then walked to the other side of the wall to give her privacy.
Alice quickly changed into the midnight blue dress, which fit perfectly. She walked around the wall to find the Hatter standing by a table that hadn't been there a moment before. He turned to face her.
"Ah, the blue brings out your eyes. I thought it might. What brings you back to Underland?"
"Sometimes I just can't stand the world. There's so much work and so much criticism. I just needed to get away from it all."
"And so you wanted to see a peaceful place?" the Hatter had a grave look of understanding on his face.
"Apparently I wanted to see you. I didn't know where I was going, but I ran right to you."
"That's just because I can fix your clothes," the Hatter muttered as an explanation, but Alice saw him blush gently.
Alice sat down at the table beside him, smoothing out her dress carefully.
"Tell me what's happened since I left."
The Hatter began laying out the settings for tea.
"Time and I made up, so it isn't always tea time anymore. It is nice to have time to make hats again."
Alice noticed the sparkle in his eyes and remembered how passionate he was about his craft.
"Do you hat the White Queen now?" she asked.
"Yes, yes, now that the Bluddy Behg Hid and her terrible knave have been banished to the outlands."
Just then, the March Hare and the Dormouse came barreling up the path towards them.
"Alice!" the Dormouse exclaimed, "you're back!"
The four spent an hour talking and laughing and drinking tea.
Wonderland is such a happy place, Alice though longingly. Maybe I can stay for a while this time.
"What are you thinking, Alice?" the Hatter questioned. Alice grinned.
"I'm investigating things beginning with the letter 'M.' Magic. Marvelous. Muchness."
The Hatter's eyes twinkled as he joined in.
"Memories, miracle, melod—" he was cut off when Bayard the bloodhound came running up to the group.
"Hatter," he panted, "it's Stayn. He's escaped exile and is calling for your head."
"Why?" Alice asked in horror.
"I stopped him from killing the big head," the Hatter answered gravely. "He's been trapped alone with her all this time because of me." He looked to the dog. Where is he now?"