Why did Shmuel think his mother was a smart woman?

I don't recall this. What chapter are you referring to? On Page 28 of the novel, we learn that Shmuel's mother was separated from the family after they arrived at the camp. Shmuel tells Bruno, "Mama was taken away from us, and Papa and Josef and I were put into the huts over there and that's where we've been ever since."

chapter 10