I’m searching for a children’s book I read as a little girl probably in the early 1960s (do not recall title or author) about a poor village baker who has nearly run out of all ingredients to make his delicious baked goods. He is on the verge of closing down his shop for lack of money and ingredients when a poor beggar appears at his door asking for a meager meal. The baker ponders the request. If I recall correctly, he discusses this with his wife who tries to persuade him not to feed the man, but the baker wastes no time using his remaining ingredients to serve up a meal for the beggar. He also offers him a place to sleep in his bakery. When the morning comes, the beggar is gone, but the baker, to his surprise and thankfulness finds his larder overflowing with all of the ingredients he needs to keep his little bakery open.

It’s a novel I read in the mid 80’s, although I suspect it was written before that. The protagonist is older than average. Curmudgeonly, ego-centric and eccentric. The only scene I remember with clarity is one in which the protagonist is being chased through the precincts of a city or maybe an enemy’s citadel. He comes across a courtyard or walled garden in which there is a bush or shrub decorated with white flowers. Our hero is wearing a purple and green robe, cloak or other outfit and gambles that his clothes – being made up of two complementary colours – will register as white to pursuers in a hurry. Taking a chance on this he hides himself in front of the bush or shrubbery and, sure enough, his pursuers hurtle on past him and through the garden, allowing our hero to escape at his leisure. Identifying this book has been bugging me for over a decade now, so any hints, clues, leads or even an answer will be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance. . .