Карлик-нос

           Anumberofguinea-pigsatoncecamehurryingdownthestairs,andJacobwasastoundedtoseethattheywerewalkingerectontheirhindlegsandhadtheirfeetthrustintonut-shellsinsteadofshoes.Theyworemen’sclothingandhadhatsontheirheadsmadeinthenewestfashion.

           "Wherehaveyouputmyslippers,youragamuffins?"askedtheoldwoman,strikingthemwithherstaff,sothattheybegantowhineandjumpabout."Howmuchlongerdoyouexpecttokeepmestandinghere?"

           Theguinea-pigsboundedupthestairsandsoonreturnedwithapairofcocoa-nutshells,linedandboundwithleather.Thesetheyputontheoldwoman’sfeetandatoncesheceasedtohobbleandlimp,flungawayherstaff,andbegantoglideaboutovertheslipperyfloorwiththegreatestrapidity,draggingJacobafterher.Shecameatlengthtoaroombearingsomeresemblancetoakitchen,thoughthetableswereofmahogany,andthecouchesandchairscoveredwithexquisitetapestries.

           "Sitdown,"saidtheoldwomaninfriendlytones,pushinghimasshespokeintoacornerofasofaandthenrollingatableinfrontofhim,sothathecouldnotgetoutagain."Youmustbetired,walkingsofar,andcarryingsuchaheavyburden,"shesaid,"nowIamgoingtorewardyouforyourtroubleandmakeyousomesoupsuchasyouhavenevertastedbefore,andwillrememberallyourlifelong."

           Sheagainblewherwhistleandagainanumberofguinea-pigsappeared,dressedinhumanattire.Theyworecook’saprons,andhadcookingspoonsandcarvingknivesstuckintheirwaistbands.