The last fairy came and kissed the Prince, who was now sobbing sleepily.
“He shall be happy,” she said; “he shall have his heart’s desire.”
Then she too vanished; and the Kings and Queens took their leave when their gold coaches came for them. And presently the King and Queen were left alone with the silver hangings and the strewn daisies and the baby.
“Oh dear! oh dear!” said the Queen; “this is dreadful! A kitchen-maid!—and a lady with four feet and no hands!”
“At least we are not likely to have a kitchen-maid with less than two hands,” said the King.
“We might arrange only to have titled kitchen-maids,” said the Queen timidly.
“The very thing,” the King answered: “that would make the love affair all that one could wish. But there’s still the marriage.”
“Of course he’ll marry the lady he loves.”
“It’s not the way of the world,” said the King. “At any rate, let’s hope he’ll love the lady he marries. Otherwise——”
“Otherwise what?” said the Queen.