` Sir , his highness has graciously ordered a Danish soup and red Hamburg dumplings . ' ` Good , ' said the head cook . ` Have you heard , and do you feel equal to making these dishes ? Not that you will be able to make the dumplings , for they are a secret receipt . ' ` Is that all ! ' said Jem , who had often made both dishes . ` Nothing easier . Let me have some eggs , a piece of wild boar , and such and such roots and herbs for the soup ; and as for the dumplings , ' he added in a low voice to the head cook , ' I shall want four different kinds of meat , some wine , a duck 's marrow , some ginger , and a herb called heal-well . ' ` Why , ' cried the astonished cook , ` where did you learn cooking ? Yes , those are the exact materials , but we never used the herb heal-well , which , I am sure , must be an improvement . ' And now Jem was allowed to try his hand . He could not nearly reach up to the kitchen range , but by putting a wide plank on two chairs he managed very well . 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 XXXXX was ready for luncheon , and it was served at once in silver dishes .
Sir boar fellow highness master rate roots soup voice word