hen he heard that Jacob wanted to see
the master of the kitchen, he replied:

"You are mistaken, sonny; it is me, the steward of the palace, whom you
wish to see. You would like to become body-dwarf to the duke. Isn't
that so?"

"No, master," answered the dwarf; "I am a clever cook, and experienced
in all kinds of rare dishes; if you will take me to the master of the
kitchen perhaps he can make use of my services."

"Every one to his own way, little man; but you are certainly an
ill-advised youth. In the kitchen! Why, as body-dwarf you would have no
work to do, and food and drink to your heart's desire, and fine
clothes. Still, we will see. Your art will hardly be up to the standard
of a cook for the duke, and you are too good for a scullion." With
these words the steward took him by the hand and led him to the rooms
of the master of the kitchen.

"Gracious master!" said the dwarf, bowing so low that his hands rested
on the floor, "have you no use for a clever cook?"

[Illustration]

The master of the kitchen looked him over from head to foot, and burst
into a loud laugh, "What? You a cook? Do you think that our hearths are
so low that you can see the top of one by standing on your toes and
lifting your head out of your shoulders? Oh dear, little fellow!
Whoever sent you to me for employment as a cook has made a fool of
you." So spoke the master of the kitchen, laughing loudly; and the
steward and all the servants in the room joined in the laugh.

But the dwarf did not allow himself to be disconcerted. "An egg or two,
a little syrup and wine, and meal and spices, can be spared in a house
where there is such plenty," said he. "Give me some kind of a dainty
dish to prepare, furnish me with what I need, and it shall be made
quickly before your eyes, and you will have to confess that I am a cook
by rule and right."

While the dwarf spoke, it was wonderful to see how his little eyes
sparkled, how his long nose swayed from side to side, and his long
spider-like fingers gesticulated in unison with his speech. "Come on!"
cried the master of the kitchen, taking the arm of the steward. "Come
on; just for a joke, let's go down to the kitchen!" They went through
many passages, and at last reached the kitchen, which was a high roomy
building splendidly fitted up. On twenty hearths burned a steady fire;
a stream of clear water, in which fish were darting about, flowed
through the middle of the room; the utensils for immedia