By the time the gravy hit them it had cooled enough to taste.
"It's wonderful!" Rosy said.
"Chust a minute," Vernher von Wissenschaft said. "Scientific experiment not so fast." He removed a shred of roast beef from behind his ear and chewed.
"Isn't it good?" Rosy asked anxiously.
Vernher von Wissenschaft finished tasting. He thought a moment, stretched his face. "Excellent," he said.
"Do you really like it?"
"Ja, excellent." He held up a finger. "Perhaps," he suggested, "two more grains pepper."
Two weeks later, when all the fires in the town had been put out and the damage assessed, a great banquet was held in the Emperor Room to honor George. In the street a huge crowd of well-wishers waited to greet him as he came out. The Emperor Room could accommodate only the town's important personages; there were so many of them that some of the best families did not bribe the mayor in time to get a seat.
But George managed to get standing room for Mr. Perkins and Mr. Zungenspiel.