to him that morning, who earnestly
solicited the place of a cook, and how all had happened. The duke was
greatly astonished, ordered the dwarf to appear, and asked him who he
was, and whence he came. Now poor James did not exactly wish to say
that he had been enchanted, and had served as a squirrel. But yet he
adhered to truth, telling him that he now had neither father nor
mother, and had learned cooking of an old woman. Much amused by the
strange appearance of his new cook, the duke asked no more questions,
but said, "If you wish to remain here, I will give you fifty ducats
a-year, a suit of livery, and two pair of breeches beside. Your duty
shall be to prepare my breakfast; yourself every day to give directions
how the dinner shall be prepared, and to take the general
superintendence of the cooking. As each in my palace has his proper
name, you shall be called 'Nose,' and hold the office of
sub-master-cook."
The dwarf prostrated himself before the mighty duke, kissed his feet,
and promised to serve him faithfully.
Thus the dwarf was for the present provided for, and did honour to his
office. And it must be remarked that the duke had become quite an
altered man since Nose the dwarf had been in the palace. Formerly, he
had often been pleased to throw the dishes and plates that were served
up at the heads of the cooks; indeed, he even once, in a fit of rage,
threw a fried calf's foot that was not sufficiently tender, with such
violence at the head of the master-cook, that the latter fell to the
ground, and was compelled for three days to keep his bed. 'Tis true,
the duke made him amends for what he had done by some handfuls of
ducats, but still no cook ever came before him with his dishes, without
trembling and terror.
Ever since the dwarf had been in the palace, all seemed to be changed,
as if by magic. The duke, instead of three, had now five meals a day,
in order to relish properly the skill of his little servant, and yet
never showed the least sign of discontent. Indeed, he found all new
and excellent, was kind and pleasant, and became fatter daily.
He would often in the midst of a meal send for the master-cook and the
dwarf, set one on his right, and the other on the left hand, and put
with his own gracious fingers some morsels of the delicious viands into
their mouths; a favour which both knew how to appreciate fully. The
dwarf was the wonder of the whole town, and people requested the
permiss
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