fry gold and diamonds you must do it. I would rather become
poor than forfeit his good opinion of my taste."

When the duke had concluded, the dwarf bowed most respectfully, saying,
"be it as you say, my lord; please God I shall do all to gratify the
palate of this prince of gourmands."

The little cook now mustered all his skill. He did not spare his
master's treasures, and still less did he spare himself. He was seen
all day at the fire, enveloped by clouds of smoke, and his voice
constantly resounded through the vaults of the kitchen, for he governed
the scullions and under cooks.

During a fortnight the foreign prince lived happily, and feasted
sumptuously with the duke. They ate not less than five times a day,
and the duke was delighted with his dwarf, seeing satisfaction
expressed on the countenance of his guest. But on the fifteenth day it
happened, that the duke, while at table, sent for the dwarf, presented
him to his guest, and asked how he was satisfied with his cooking?

"You are a wonderful cook," replied the prince, "and know what good
living is. All the time I have been here you have not repeated a
single dish, and have prepared every thing exquisitely. But pray tell
me, why have you not all this time prepared that queen of dishes, the
pie called 'souzeraine?'"

The dwarf was startled at this question, for he had never heard of this
queen of pies; however he recovered himself and replied, "My lord, I
was in hopes that your serene countenance would shine some time yet on
this court, therefore I deferred this dish; for with what dish but the
queen of pies should the cook honour the day of your departure?"

"Indeed!" said the duke, laughing; "I suppose then you wish to wait for
the day of my death to honour me, for you have never yet sent it up to
me. But think of another dish to celebrate the departure, for
to-morrow that pie must be on the table."

"Your pleasure shall be done, my lord," replied the dwarf, and retired.
But he went away uneasy, for the day of his disgrace and misfortune had
come. He did not know how to prepare this pie. He went therefore to
his chamber, and wept over his fate, when the goose Mimi, who was
allowed to walk about, came up and inquired the cause of his grief.
When she heard of the pie, "Dry your tears," said she, "this dish came
often to my father's table, and I know pretty well what is necessary
for it; you have only to take such and such things in certain
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