Карлик-ніс

           "Surely,mylittleman,itistomeyouwishtoapplyforasituation.DoyounotwishtobecometheDuke’sjester?"

           "No,sir,"repliedthedwarf."Iamafirst-ratecookandunderstandhowtoprepareallsortsofdelicacies.Ithoughttheheadcookmightbewillingtomakeuseofmyart."

           "Everymantohisownliking,littleman;butitseemstomeyouareratherafoolishfellow.AstheDuke’sjesteryouwouldhavehadnoworktodo,fineclothestowear,andplentyofgoodfoodtoeatanddrink.Still,wewillseewhatwecandoforyou,thoughIdoubtifyourcookeryissufficientlygoodtosuittheDuke’stable,andyouaretoogoodtobemadeamerescullionof."

           Thestewardthenledhimtotheheadcook,towhomJacobhastenedtoofferhisservices.Theheadcooktookagoodlookathimandburstoutlaughing."Youacookindeed!"hesaidscornfully."Why,youcouldnotreachthetopofthestovetostirapan.Someonehasbeenmakinggameofyouinsendingyouhere."

           ButJacobwasnottobeputoffinthisway."Ofwhataccountareafeweggs,syrupandwine,flourandspicesinahouselikethis?"hesaid;"ordermetomakeanytastydishyoucanthinkofandallowmetohavetheingredientsIrequireandyoushallsoonjudgewhetherornoIamagoodcook."

           "Well,sobeit,"saidtheheadcook,and,takingthesteward’sarm,heledthewaytothekitchen."Justforthejokeofthethingwewillletthelittlemandoashewishes."

           Thekitchenwasamagnificentplace.