Question

Read the following extract and solve the given below.

She said this in such a friendly manner that the rattrap peddler must have felt confidence in her. ‘It would never have occurred to me that you would bother with me yourself, miss,’ he said. ‘I will come at once.’ He accepted the fur coat, which the valet handed him with a deep bow, threw it over his rags, and followed the young lady out to the carriage, without granting the astonished blacksmiths so much as a glance. But while he was riding up to the manor house he had evil forebodings. “Why the devil did I take that fellow’s money?” he thought. “Now I am sitting in the trap and will never get out of it.”

I. Which of the following best reflect the ‘friendly manner’ Edla exhibits toward the rattrap peddler as referred to in the extract?     (1)

1. Pay a compliment
2. Show kindness
3. Provide financial support
4. Be respectful
5. Speak in an excited tone
Select the most suitable option.

1. 1 and 5
2. 2 and 4
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 3, 4 and 5

II. Fill in the blank with a correct option from those given in the brackets, based on the information in the extract.     (1)

The peddler threw the fur coat over his rags and followed Edla out to the carriage, ______ (enthusiastically/silently/reluctantly).

III. How did the peddler feel toward Edla after accepting the fur coat and making his statement?     (1)

1. He decided to humour her gesture.
2. He felt obligated to trust her kindness.
3. He remained unsure about her true intentions.
4. He recognised and appreciated her compassion.

IV. What might have been the most likely reason the blacksmiths were astonished when the peddler accepted the coat and left with Edla?     (1)

V. Justify that guilt was the primary cause of the peddler’s sense of evil foreboding, based on the information in the extract?     (1)

VI. Complete the following suitably.     (1)

When the peddler says, “... I will never get out,” his statement stems from his guilt over stealing ‘that fellow’s’ money and his fear that ______.

Answer 1

I. 2 and 4

Explanation: 

b) is correct because Edla’s entire demeanor toward the rattrap peddler is built on kindness (2), and she does not look down on him despite his being a vagabond, treating him with respect (4). Her tone is formal, not casual/excited (5), doesn’t offer money (3), and there is no evidence of any compliment paid (1); hence, a), c), and d) are incorrect.

II. The peddler threw the fur coat over his rags and followed Edla out to the carriage, silently.

III. He recognised and appreciated her compassion.

Explanation: 

This shows genuine appreciation and trust, not just politeness or obligation. His willingness to go with her and accept the fur coat without resistance indicates that he feels seen and valued, something he likely hasn’t experienced in a long time. (a) implies insincerity, which isn’t supported by the extract; (b) The extract doesn’t suggest obligation; his response feels voluntary. (c) There is no sign of doubt or suspicion in his words or actions at that moment.

IV. Because the peddler, a poor vagabond in rags, was treated with respect and generosity by Edla, which was an unusual gesture of kindness for someone of his status.

V. Because his thoughts explicitly reveal regret and anxiety about stealing the ‘fellow’s’ money/showing that his guilt over the theft is weighing heavily on him. This self-awareness and fear of being caught clearly stem from his guilt, making it the primary driver of his forebodings.

VI. When the peddler says, “... I will never get out,” his statement stems from his guilt over stealing ‘that fellow’s’ money and his fear that Edla’s kindness and the situation at the manor house might lead to his exposure as a thief.