Question

Answer the question given below the extract.

“Let me handle the thing. My life is nothing. Yours is of great value to England”.

1. What is ‘the thing’ referred to here?
2. Why did it pose a threat to life?
3. Whose life is of ‘great value’ to England? In what way?
4. Why does the speaker consider his life less important? What do these lines convey about the speaker?

Answer 1

1. “The thing” is the parcel that Roger and Lord Weston believe may be an infernal machine.
2. They fear that it might explode and kill anyone nearby.
3. Lord Weston’s life is said to be of great value to England because he is an important judge and servant of the country.
4. Roger considers his own life less important than Weston’s because he is young and believes Weston’s public service matters more. His words show loyalty, courage and selflessness.