I must put in an appearance there," said the prince.

" My daughter is coming for me to take me there.

" "I thought today's fete had been canceled.

I confess all these festivities and fireworks are becoming wearisome.

" "If they had known that you wished it, the entertainment would have been put off," said the prince, who, like a wound-up clock, by force of habit said things he did not even wish to be believed.