Карлик-ніс

           ThentheDukeflewintothemostterriblerage—"Ivowbymyhonourthateitheryoushalltastethisjjastyto-morrowmorning,exactlyasyouareaccustomedtohaveit,orelsetheheadofthisfellowshallpayforhisblunder.Go,dogofadwarf,Igiveyoufour-and-twentyhourstoaccomplishitin."

           Thepoordwarfwenttohisroomandtoldthisfreshtroubletothegoose."Come,takeheart,"saidshe,"fortunatelyIknoweveryherbthatgrowsandIamsureIcanfindthisoneforyou.Itisahappythingthatitchancestobeanewmoontonight,foronlyatthetimeofthenewmoondoesthisplantgrow.Buttellme,arethereanyancientchestnuttreesnearthepalace?"

           "Ohyes,"repliedthedwarf,withalighterheart."Twohundredpacesfromthepalace,besidethelake,thereisquitealargegroupofchestnuttrees;butwhydoyouask?"

           "Becausetheherbisonlyfoundattherootofveryoldchestnuttrees,"answeredMimi."Letuslosenotime,butgoandsearchforwhatyourequire.Takemeunderyourarmandputmedownwhenwehavereachedthespot,andIwillhelpyousearch."

           Hedidasshebadehim;butashewouldhavepassedoutofthegatewayofthepalace,thesentrybarredthewaywithhislance."MygoodLong-Nose,"saidhe,"Ihavethestrictestordersnottoletyououtofthehouse.Yourendhascome,Ifear.""ButsurelyIcangointothegarden,"repliedthedwarf."BesogoodastosendoneofyourcomradestoenquireifImaygointothegardentosearchforherbs."