Question

Answer in about 150 words.

‘It moved! As I wished, it twisted in my hand, it twisted in my hand like a snake.’

‘Nothing … I … haha! … I saw faces in the fire’. How far did Herbert and Mrs. White believe Mr. White’s remarks? Justify your answer by quoting from the text.

Answer 1

Herbert and Mrs. White do not fully believe Mr. White’s account of the paw moving. Herbert dismisses it as “Nonsense” and says, “Why, it’s as stiff as a bone.” Mrs. White also thinks it was his imagination: “Must have been your fancy, Father.” Herbert continues to joke about the wish, saying he expects never to see the money and teasing his father about “golden sovereigns.” Later, when Mr. White says he saw faces in the fire, Mrs. White simply tells him, “Come along,” and leads him away. This suggests that she is concerned by his fear but does not accept the vision as real. Mr. White, however, insists that the paw moved and is deeply disturbed by what he saw. Their reactions show that they regard his experiences as the effects of fancy, excitement, or fear rather than proof of magic.