“Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorised as a typical thief?
Horace dandy was good and respectable-but incompletely honest. This description is suitable for Horace. He was approx fifty years old who used to rob only those who were rich and his intention was to buy such unusual and high-priced books with that money. He did cautious preparation and used to stole only once a year which would be enough for twelve long months. His purpose of buying books was good by doing robbery, however, the fact that he used to steal things to achieve this end represented that he was not, he had his own house. He made locks, had two helpers with him, and was a successful businessman. He only stole money just to buy the books. For a couple of days, he even kept his promise to the lady that he met at shotover grange by not stealing or preparing any robbery.
Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?
What does Horace Danby like to collect?
Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how?
What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?
Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
Why does he steal every year?
Who is the real culprit in the story?
Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricki?
How is Ausable different from other secret agents?
How did the invisible man first become visible?
How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?
What kind of a person is Mme Loisel — why is she always unhappy?
Why is the lawyer sent to New Mullion? What does he first think about the place?
Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?
Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’?
Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max? Do you think he had worked out his plan in detail right from the beginning? Or did he make up a plan taking advantage of events as they happened?
What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
What curious episode occurs in the study?
How does Ausable say he got in?
You must have read about cells and DNA in your science books. Discuss Richard Ebright’s work in the light of what you have studied. If you get an opportunity to work like Richard Ebright on projects and experiments, which field would you like to work on and why?
The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
How did his mother help him?
What kind of a person is her husband?