ion of the master-cook to see him cook, while some of the
principal folks prevailed upon the duke to permit their servants to
profit by the instructions of the dwarf in his kitchen, by which he
obtained much money, for those who came to learn paid daily half a
ducat. In order, however, to keep the other cooks in good humour, and
prevent jealousy, Nose let them have the money that was paid by the
masters for instruction.

Thus Nose lived almost two years in great comfort and honour, the
thought of his parents alone saddening him, and nothing remarkable
occurring until the following circumstance happened. The dwarf being
particularly clever, and fortunate in his purchases, went himself, as
often as time permitted, to the market, to buy poultry and fruit. One
morning he went to the poultry-market, and walking up and down inquired
for fat geese such as his master liked. His appearance, far from
creating laughter and ridicule, commanded respect, since he was known
as the duke's celebrated cook, and each poultry-woman felt herself
happy if he but turned his nose to her. At length coming to the end of
a row of stalls, he perceived in a corner, a woman with geese for sale,
who did not, like the others, praise her goods, nor call to the
customers.

He stepped up to her, examined the geese, weighed them in his hand, and
finding them to his liking, bought three, with the cage they were in,
put them on his shoulders and trotted home. It appeared singular to
him that only two of the geese cackled and cried like others, the third
being quite quiet and thoughtful, and occasionally groaning and moaning
like a human being.

"She is not well," said he to himself, "I must hasten to get home and
dress her." But the goose replied, distinctly,

"If thou stick'st me,
Why I'll bite thee,
And if my neck thou twistest round.
Thou soon wilt lie below the ground."

Quite startled, the dwarf put down the basket, and the goose, looking
at him with her fine intelligent eyes, sighed. "Why what have we
here?" cried Nose. "You can talk, Miss Goose. I never expected that.
Well, make yourself easy; I know the world and will not harm so rare a
bird. But I would wager something that you have not always been
covered with feathers. Indeed I was once a poor squirrel myself."

"You are right," replied the goose, "in saying I was not born with this
disgraceful disguise. Alas! it was never sung at my cradle that Mimi,
the great Wet