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 by this time , and able to help me well . Why , when he was only twelve he was quite sharp and quick , and had learnt many little things , and a good-looking boy too , and pleasant , so that customers were taken by him . Well , well ! so goes the world ! ' ` But where is your son ? ' asked Jem , with a trembling voice . ` Heaven only knows ! ' replied the man ; ` seven years ago he was stolen from the market-place , and we have heard no more of him . ' ` SEVEN YEARS AGO ! ' cried Jem , with horror .
` Yes , indeed , seven years ago , though it seems but yesterday XXXXX my wife came back howling and crying , and saying the child had not come back all day .
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