The History of Dwarf Long Nose, part 1 · page 21 2101The part of the town was out of the way, and Jem did not know the many narrow streets in it and was puzzled by their windings and by the crowd of people, who seemed excited about some show.102From what he heard, he fancied they were going to see a dwarf, for he heard them call out: ‘Just look at the ugly dwarf!’103‘What a long nose he has, and see how his head is stuck in between his shoulders, and only look at his ugly brown hands!’104If he had not been in such a hurry to get back to his mother, he would have gone too, for he loved shows with giants and dwarfs and the like.105He was quite puzzled when he reached the market-place.106There 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.107He hesitated what to do, but at last he slipped behind her, laid a hand on her arm, and said: ‘Mammy, what’s the matter?108Are you angry with me?’109She turned round quickly and jumped up with a cry of horror.110‘What do you want, you hideous dwarf?’ she cried; ‘get away; I can’t bear such tricks.’111‘But, mother dear, what’s the matter with you?’ repeated Jem, quite frightened.112‘You can’t be well.113Why do you want to drive your son away?’114‘I have said already, get away,’ replied Hannah, quite angrily.115‘You won’t get anything out of me by your games, you monstrosity.’116‘Oh dear, oh dear! she must be wandering in her mind,’ murmured the lad to himself.117‘How can I manage to get her home?118Dearest mother, do look at me close.119Can’t you see I am your own son Jem?’120‘Well, did you ever hear such impudence?’ asked Hannah, turning to a neighbour.121‘Just see that frightful dwarf--would you believe that he wants me to think he is my son Jem?’122Then 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.123Poor Jem did not know what to make of it all.124He 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.125And they called him a horrid dwarf!126Why, what had happened to him?127When 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.1 2← previousThe Underground Workersnext →The History of Dwarf Long Nose, part 2↑ back to The Violet Fairy BookThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/26/page/2/