Yet he had a pair on at that very moment , and it was they which had carried him in three strides from the palace to Gluckstein ! The truth is , that the prince , in looking about the palace for clothes , had found his way into that very old lumber-room where the magical gifts of the fairies had been thrown by his clever mother , who did not believe in them . But this , of course , the prince did not know . Now you should be told that seven-league boots only take those prodigious steps when you say you want to go a long distance . Otherwise they would be very inconvenient -- when you only want to cross the room , for example . Perhaps this has not been explained to you by your governess ? Well , the prince walked into `` The Bear , '' and it seemed odd to him that nobody took any notice of him . And yet his face was as well known as that of any man in Pantouflia ; for everybody had seen it , at least in pictures . He was so puzzled by not being attended to as usual , that he quite forgot to take off his cap . -LSB- Illustration : Page 31 -RSB- He sat down at a table , however , and shouted '' Kellner ! '' at which all the waiters jumped , and looked round in every direction , but nobody came to him . At first he thought they were too busy , but presently another explanation occurred to him . `` The king , '' said he to himself , `` has threatened to execute anybody who speaks to me , or helps me in any way . Well , I do n't mean to starve in the midst of plenty , anyhow ; here goes ! '' The prince rose , and went to the table in the midst of the room , where a huge roast turkey had just been placed . He helped himself to half the breast , some sausages , chestnut stuffing , bread sauce , potatoes , and a bottle of red wine -- Burgundy . He then went back to a table in a corner , where he dined very well , nobody taking any notice of him . When he had finished , he sat watching the other people dining , and smoking his cigarette . As he was sitting thus , a very tall man , an officer in the uniform of the Guards , came in , and , walking straight to the prince 's table , said : `` Kellner , clean this table , and bring in the bill of fare . '' With these words , the officer sat down suddenly in the prince 's lap , as if he did not see him at all .
He was a heavy man , and the prince , enraged at the insult , pushed him away and jumped XXXXX his feet .
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