` You certainly are a master of the art , little fellow , and the herb heal-well gives a particular relish . ' As he was speaking , the duke 's valet came to say that his highness was ready for luncheon , and it was served at once in silver dishes . The head cook took Jem to his own room , but had hardly had time to question him before he was ordered to go at once to the grand duke . He hurried on his best clothes and followed the messenger . The grand duke was looking much pleased . He had emptied the dishes , and was wiping his mouth as the head cook came in . ` Who cooked my luncheon to-day ? ' asked he . ' I must say your dumplings are always very good ; but I do n't think I ever tasted anything so delicious as they were to-day . Who made them ? ' ` It is a strange story , your highness , ' said the cook , and told him the whole matter , which surprised the duke so much that he sent for the dwarf and asked him many questions . Of course , Jem could not say he had been turned into a squirrel , but he said he was without parents and had been taught cooking by an old woman . ` If you will stay with me , ' said the grand duke , ` you shall have fifty ducats a year , besides a new coat and a couple of pairs of trousers . You must undertake to cook my luncheon yourself and to direct what I shall have for dinner , and you shall be called assistant head cook . ' Jem bowed to the ground , and promised to obey his new master in all things . He lost no time in setting to work , and everyone rejoiced at having him in the kitchen , for the duke was not a patient man , and had been known to throw plates and dishes at his cooks and servants if the things served were not quite to his taste . Now all was changed . He never even grumbled at anything , had five meals instead of three , thought everything delicious , and grew fatter daily . And so Jem lived on for two years , much respected and considered , and only saddened when he thought of his parents . One day passed much like another till the following incident happened .
Dwarf Long Nose -- as he was always called -- made a practice of doing his marketing as much as possible himself , and whenever time allowed went to the market XXXXX buy his poultry and fruit .
As at before for into like of that till to