Карлик-нос

           "Setyourmindatrest,dearMissMimi,"saidthedwarfconsolingly;"sosureasIamanhonestfellowandsecondcooktohisHighness,nooneshalldoyouanyharm.IwillhaveacoopplacedforyouinmyownapartmentandyoushallhaveasmuchfoodasyourequireandIwilldevoteallmysparetimetoyou.TherestofthekitchenservantswillbetoldthatIamfattening-youonsomeparticularherbstogiveyouaspeciallygoodflavour,andIwilltakethefirstopportunityofsettingyouatliberty."

           Thegoosethankedhimwithtearsinhereyes,andthedwarftookmeanstoprovideforherashehadpromised.ShewasplacedinawickercageandfedbyLong-Nosealone,andhetookcare,insteadofgivinghertheordinaryfoodrequiredbygeese,toserveherwithdaintycakesandsweets.Asoftenashecouldhesatandtalkedtoherandtriedtocomforther.Theytoldeachothertheirsadstories,andinthiswayLong-NoselearnedthatMimiwasthedaughterofthegreatmagicianWetterbock,wholivedontheislandofGothland.Hehadquarrelledwithaverywickedfairy,whohadmanagedtooutwithimand,inrevenge,tochangeMimiintoagoose,andbringherfarawayfromherhome.

           Thedwarfinreturntoldherallhisadventures,andshesaid:"Iamnotaltogetherignorantofmagicmyself,havinglearntsomethingsfrommyfather.