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 Jem and scratch him well if he did not go away at once . Poor Jem did not know what to make of it all . He was sure he had gone to market with his mother only that morning , had helped to set out the stall , had gone to the old woman 's house , where he had some soup and a little nap , and now , when he came back , they were all talking of seven years . And they called him a horrid dwarf ! Why , what had happened to him ? When he found that his mother would really have nothing to do with him he turned away with tears in his eyes , and went sadly down the street towards his father 's stall . ` Now I 'll see whether he will know me , ' thought he . ` I 'll stand by the door and talk to him . ' When he got to the stall he stood in the doorway and looked in . The cobbler was so busy at work that he did not see him for some time , but , happening to look up , he caught sight of his visitor , and letting shoes , thread , and everything fall to the ground , he cried with horror : ` Good heavens ! what is that ? ' ` Good evening , master , ' said the boy , as he stepped in . ` How do you do ? ' ` Very ill , little sir , replied the father , to Jem 's surprise , for he did not seem to know him . ` Business does not go well . I am all alone , and am getting old , and a workman is costly . ' ` But have n't you a son who could learn your trade by degrees ? ' asked Jem . '
I had one : he was called Jem , and would have been a tall sturdy lad of twenty XXXXX this time , and able to help me well .
as by for in morning neighbour that to whether with