o his mother, and found her still in the
market-place. He begged her to listen quietly to him, and he reminded
her of the day when he went away with the old woman, and of many things
in his childhood, and told her how the fairy had bewitched him, and he
had served her seven years. Hannah did not know what to think--the story
was so strange; and it seemed impossible to think her pretty boy and
this hideous dwarf were the same. At last she decided to go and talk to
her husband about it. She gathered up her baskets, told Jem to follow
her, and went straight to the cobbler's stall.

'Look here,' said she, 'this creature says he is our lost son. He has
been telling me how he was stolen seven years ago, and bewitched by a
fairy.'

'Indeed!' interrupted the cobbler angrily. 'Did he tell you this? Wait a
minute, you rascal! Why I told him all about it myself only an hour ago,
and then he goes off to humbug you. So you were bewitched, my son were
you? Wait a bit, and I'll bewitch you!'

So saying, he caught up a bundle of straps, and hit out at Jem so hard
that he ran off crying.

The poor little dwarf roamed about all the rest of the day without food
or drink, and at night was glad to lie down and sleep on the steps of a
church. He woke next morning with the first rays of light, and began to
think what he could do to earn a living. Suddenly he remembered that he
was an excellent cook, and he determined to look out for a place.

As soon as it was quite daylight he set out for the palace, for he
knew that the grand duke who reigned over the country was fond of good
things.

When he reached the palace all the servants crowded about him, and made
fun of him, and at last their shouts and laughter grew so loud that the
head steward rushed out, crying, 'For goodness sake, be quiet, can't
you. Don't you know his highness is still asleep?'

Some of the servants ran off at once, and others pointed out Jem.

Indeed, the steward found it hard to keep himself from laughing at the
comic sight, but he ordered the servants off and led the dwarf into his
own room.

When he heard him ask for a place as cook, he said: 'You make some
mistake, my lad. I think you want to be the grand duke's dwarf, don't
you?'

'No, sir,' replied Jem. 'I am an experienced cook, and if you will
kindly take me to the head cook he may find me of some use.'

'Well, as you will; but believe me, you would have an easier place as
the grand ducal dwarf.'

So