Карлик-нос

           Whatsayyou,dearfriend?"

           Theguesttookoneortwomouthfulsbeforeanswering,andthen,havingtastedtheflavour,hesaidratherscornfullvashepushedawayhisplate:"ItisasIthought!Itisanexcellentpastynodoubt,hutnottheSouzeraine."

           TheDukefrownedandreddenedwithanger—"Dogofadwarf,"criedhe,"howdareyoutreatmeso?Ihaveagoodmindtohaveyourheadchoppedoffasapunishmentforyourbadcookery."

           "Mylord,IassureyouIhavemadethepastyaccordingtoalltherulesoftheartofcookery,"repliedthedwarftrembling.

           "Itisfalse,yourascal,"repliedtheDuke,kickinghimaway."Ifitwererightmyguestwouldnotsayitwaswrong.Ihaveagoodmindtohaveyoumadeintomincemeatandbakedinapieyourself."

           "Havemercy,"criedthepoorlittleman,prostrating-himselfbeforetheroyalguestandclaspinghisfeetinhisarms."IprayyoutellmewhatIhaveleftoutofthepastythatitfailstosuityourpalate?Donotcondemnmetodeathforahandfulofmeatandflour."

           "Itwillbeoflittleassistancetoyoutoknow,mydearLong-Nose,"answeredthePrincewithasmile,"Iwasquitecertainyesterdaythatyouwouldnotbeabletomakethispastryaswellasmycookcan,becausethechiefrequisiteisaherbwhichdoesnotgrowinthiscountry.Itisknownas"TheCook’sDelight,"andwithoutthisthepastyispracticallytasteless,andyourmasterwillnevereatitwiththesamepleasurethatIcaninmyowncountry."