Even her majesty herself remarked that , though she could never believe all the courtiers told her , yet he certainly was a fine child -- a very fine child . Now , the time drew near for the christening party , and the king and queen were sitting at breakfast in their summer parlour talking over it . It was a splendid room , hung with portraits of the royal ancestors . There was Cinderella , the grandmother of the reigning monarch , with her little foot in her glass slipper thrust out before her . There was the Marquis de Carabas , who , as everyone knows , was raised to the throne as prince consort after his marriage with the daughter of the king of the period . On the arm of the throne was seated his celebrated cat , wearing boots . There , too , was a portrait of a beautiful lady , sound asleep : this was Madame La Belle au Bois-dormant , also an ancestress of the royal family . Many other pictures of celebrated persons were hanging on the walls . `` You have asked all the right people , my dear ? '' said the king . `` 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 XXXXX there are no fairies ?
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