Карлик-ніс

           Hewastooproudtoserveasabarber’ssignpost,ortoexhibithimselfinashowformoney.But,rememberinghowexcellentlyhehadlearnttocookwhenhewasinhissquirrelform,hethoughtitpossiblethathemightmakeuseofhisartnow;atanyratehedeterminedtotry.

           HerememberedtohaveheardthattheDukewhoownedthatcountrywassaidtobeveryfondofgoodliving,andso,assoonasthedaywassufficientlyadvanced,hemadehiswaytothepalace.Theporteratthegreatgatewaylaughedathiminscornwhenhesaidhewishedtoseethechiefcook,butonhispersistingheledhimacrossthecourtyard;alltheservantswhowereabouttheplacestaredathim,andthenfollowedinhistrain,laughingandjeeringathim.Theymadesuchanuproarthatthestewardcameouttoseewhatallthenoisewasabout.Hecarriedawhipinhishandandwithithelaidabouthimrightandleft."Youhounds,"saidhe,"howdareyoudisturbyourmaster’sslumbers?Don’tyouknowthatheisnotawakeyet?"

           "But,sir,"criedtheservants,"lookwhatbringsushere.Isthatnotexcuseenough?Lookatthequeerlittledwarfwearebringingyou?"

           AsthestewardsawpoorJacobhehadhardworktokeepfromlaughing,too,butasheconsidereditwouldbebeneathhisdignitytojoininthemirthwiththeotherservantshemanagedtorestrainhimself,anddrivingthemoffwithhiswhip,ledJacobintohisownapartmentsandaskedhimwhathewanted.Jacobbeggedtobeconductedtotheheadcook,butthestewardcouldscarcelybelievehim.