Карлик-нос

           Shewasdressedinragsandtattersandhadalittle,pointedface,allwrinkledandfurrowedwithage,red-rimmedeyes,andasharphookednosethatnearlymetthepointedchin.Shehelpedherselfalongwithastick,anditisdifficulttosayhowshemoved,forshestumbledandlimpedandrolledalongalmostasthoutjhherleofswerebroken-downwheelswhichwouldsoongiveway.Thecobbler’swifestaredhardather,foralthoughshehadbeensittinginthemarket-placeeverydayforthelastsixteenyearsshehadnevernoticedthequeeroldcreaturebefore.Butsheshudderedinvoluntarilywhentheoldwomanhobbledto-wardsherandstoodstillbeforethebaskets.

           "AreyouHannah,thevegetabledealer?"shesaidinacrackedunpleasantvoice,herheadshaking-asthoughwithpalsy."Yes,thatismyname,"repliedthecobbler’swife,"isthereanything-Icanserveyouwith?"

           "Tomustsee,Imustsee,"shereplied."LetmelookatourherbsandseeifyouhaveanythingIrequire."Sheplungedherbrownskinnyfingersintothebasketofherbswhichhadbeensoneatlysetout,and,graspinghandfulafterhandful,putthemtoherlonghookednoseandsmeltthem.Thecobbler’swifewasmuchputouttoseeherrareherbshandledinthisway,butshedidnotliketosayanything,foritwasthecustomer’srighttoexaminethegoods,andbesidesshewashalfafraidoftheoldwoman.Whenthewholeofthebasketofherbshadbeenhandledandturnedovertheoldwomanmuttered—"Rubbish,rubbish,thewholelotofit.