PRINCE PRIGIO. 7

 

«Everyone who should be asked,” answered
the queen.

‘People are so touchy on these occasions,”
said his majesty. ‘“‘ You have not forgotten any
of our aunts?”

“‘No; the old cats!” replied the queen ;. for
the king’s aunts were old-fashioned, and did not
approve of her, and she knew it.

“‘ They are very kind old ladies in their way,”
said the king; ‘‘and were nice to me when I
was a boy.”

Then he waited a little, and remarked :

“The fairies, of course, you have invited?
It has always been usual, in our family, on an
occasion like this; and I think we have neglected
them a little of late.”

“How can you be so absurd?” cried the
queen. ‘‘ How often must I tell you that there
are no fairies? And even if there were—but,
no matter; pray let us drop the subject.”

‘They are very old friends of our family, my
dear, that’s all,” said the king timidly. ‘‘ Often
and often they have been godmothers to us.
One, in particular, was most kind and most
serviceable to Cinderella I., my own grand-
mother.”

“Your grandmother!” interrupted her ma-
jesty. ‘“‘Fiddle-de-dee! If anyone puts such
nonsense into the head of my little Prigio a

But here the baby was brought in by the
nurse, and the queen almost devoured it with