There sat his mother , with a good deal of fruit still in her baskets , so he felt he could not have slept so very long , but it struck him that she was sad , for she did not call to the passers-by , but sat with her head resting on her hand , and as he came nearer he thought she looked paler than usual . He hesitated what to do , but at last he slipped behind her , laid a hand on her arm , and said : ` Mammy , what 's the matter ? Are you angry with me ? ' She turned round quickly and jumped up with a cry of horror . ` What do you want , you hideous dwarf ? ' she cried ; ` get away ; I ca n't bear such tricks . ' ` But , mother dear , what 's the matter with you ? ' repeated Jem , quite frightened . ` You ca n't be well . Why do you want to drive your son away ? ' ' I have said already , get away , ' replied Hannah , quite angrily . ` You wo n't get anything out of me by your games , you monstrosity . ' ` Oh dear , oh dear ! she must be wandering in her mind , ' murmured the lad to himself . ` How can I manage to get her home ? Dearest mother , do look at me close . Ca n't you see I am your own son Jem ? ' ` Well , did you ever hear such impudence ? ' asked Hannah , turning to a neighbour . ` Just see that frightful dwarf -- would you believe that he wants me to think he is my son Jem ? '
Then all the market women came round and talked all together and scolded as hard as they could , and said what a shame it was to make game of Mrs. Hannah , who had never got over the loss of her beautiful boy , who had been stolen from her seven years ago , and they threatened to fall upon XXXXX and scratch him well if he did not go away at once .
Ca Hannah Jem Mammy anything dwarf games matter neighbour tricks