As he went , it struck him that two of the geese were gobbling and screaming as geese do , but the third sat quite still , only heaving a deep sigh now and then , like a human being . ` That goose is ill , ' said he ; ' I must make haste to kill and dress her . ' But the goose answered him quite distinctly : ` Squeeze too tight And I 'll bite , If my neck a twist you gave I 'd bring you to an early grave . ' Quite frightened , the dwarf set down the cage , and the goose gazed at him with sad wise-looking eyes and sighed again . ` Good gracious ! ' said Long Nose . ` So you can speak , Mistress Goose . I never should have thought it ! Well , do n't be anxious . I know better than to hurt so rare a bird . But I could bet you were not always in this plumage -- was n't I a squirrel myself for a time ? ' ` You are right , ' said the goose , ` in supposing I was not born in this horrid shape . Ah ! no one ever thought that Mimi , the daughter of the great Weatherbold , would be killed for the ducal table . ' ` Be quite easy , Mistress Mimi , ' comforted Jem . ` As sure as I 'm an honest man and assistant head cook to his highness , no one shall harm you . I will make a hutch for you in my own rooms , and you shall be well fed , and I 'll come and talk to you as much as I can . I 'll tell all the other cooks that I am fattening up a goose on very special food for the grand duke , and at the first good opportunity I will set you free . ' The goose thanked him with tears in her eyes , and the dwarf kept his word . He killed the other two geese for dinner , but built a little shed for Mimi in one of his rooms , under the pretence of fattening her under his own eye .
He spent all his spare time talking XXXXX her and comforting her , and fed her on all the daintiest dishes .
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