All the cooks stood round to look on , and could not help admiring the quick , clever way in which he set to work . At last , when all was ready , Jem ordered the two dishes to be put on the fire till he gave the word . Then he began to count : ` One , two , three , ' till he got to five hundred when he cried , ` Now ! ' The saucepans were taken off , and he invited the head cook to taste . The first cook took a golden spoon , washed and wiped it , and handed it to the head cook , who solemnly approached , tasted the dishes , and smacked his lips over them . ` First rate , indeed ! ' he exclaimed . ` 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 XXXXX cook my luncheon yourself and to direct what I shall have for dinner , and you shall be called assistant head cook . '
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