Карлик-ніс

           Whatyoutellmeaboutthequarrelovertheherbbasketandyoursuddentransformationonsmellingacertainherbprovestomethattheoldwomanusedsomeherbinherenchantment,andifvouareabletofindthatherbyouwillprobablyregainyournaturalform."

           ThiswassmallcomfortforLong-Nose,forhehadnottheleastideawherehecouldfindsuchaherb.Still,hethankedher,andtriedtobealittlemorehopefultoo.ItwasjustatthistimethattheDukehadavisitfromaneighbouringPrince,afriendofhis.HesentforLong-Noseandsaidtohim:"Nowisthetimetoproveifyouservemefaithfully,andareatruemasterofyourart.ThisPrince,whoisnowmyguest,livesbetterthananyoneIknow,exceptmyself.Heprideshimselfuponthefirst-ratecookshekeepsandheisaveryknowingman.Nowbecarefulthatmytableisserveddailywithsuchdishesthatmayarousehisastonishmentandenvy.Neverletthesamekindoffoodappeartwiceduringhisvisit.Youmayaskmytreasurerforasmuchmoneyasyourequiretopurchasematerialsforyourcooking.Ifyouwantedtobasteyourroastswithgoldanddiamondsyoushouldhavethem.Iwouldsoonerbeggarmyselfthanhavetoblushforthequalityofmyviands."

           ThedwarfbowedandpromisedtheDukethathewouldsomanagethatthedaintypalateofthePrincecouldnotfailtoapproveofthedishessetbeforehim.Thelittlecookexertedallhisskillandsparedneitherhismaster’streasuresnorhimself.