04: Hearts And Hands By O’ Henry : Icse-x-english

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Section : I
At Denver there was an influx of passengers into the coaches on the eastbound B. & M. Express. In one coach there sat a very pretty young woman dressed in elegant taste and surrounded by all the luxurious comforts of an experienced traveller. Among the newcomers were two young men; one of handsome presence with a bold, frank countenance and manner; the other a ruffled, glum-faced person, heavily built and roughly dressed. The two were handcuffed together.

Qstn #1
Describe the opening scene of the story.
Ans : There was a crowd of passengers into the coaches on the eastbound B. & M. express. In one coach there was a pretty looking young woman who was sitting, reflecting all kinds of elegance and delicacy. The two newcomers were two young men, one among them was handsome with bold looks and the other was ruffled, glum-faced who was heavily built and roughly dressed. The two were handcuffed together. The coach was fully crowded and the two men could find only one vacant seat in front of the young lady.

Qstn #2
Who was the pretty young lady? Describe her.
Ans : The pretty young lady was Miss Fairchild who was seated in one of the coaches on the train to Denver. She was elegantly dressed and surrounded by all the luxurious comforts which described her as an experienced traveller. She had a lovely smile and from her appearance, she seemed to be rich who had a passion for travelling. She was acquainted with one of the two passengers who arrived in the same coach in which she was sitting. She threw a lovely smile to him which made her cheeks slightly pink.

Qstn #3
'Here the linked couple seated themselves'. How was the two couple linked? What do you understand by this?
Ans : There was too much crowd on the Eastbound B. & M. Express in one coach, a pretty young stylish woman was sitting. The two young men, who were handcuffed together, entered the coach. One of them was fair and handsome and other was rough and strongly built. They were linked together as they couldn't be separated from each other. The handcuff had tied them.
It means that one of them must be a criminal and the other a policeman.

Qstn #4
Why did the young lady in the coach say, "Don't you ever recognize old friends when you meet them in the West?"
Ans : The two newcomers got the vacant seat opposite the attractive young woman in the whole coach. She threw a glance at them from a distance and with a lovely smile greeted them. She held out her little grey gloved hand perhaps in order to handshake with one of the two newcomers who seemed to be her acquaintance. When she didn't receive any kind of positive response from the other side, she made this remark.

Qstn #5
Why did the looks of the young lady suddenly change?
Ans : Initially, when the two men entered her coach, she seemed to be totally uninterested but soon with a lovely smile, she looked at them. She took the initiative to talk to him one of the two was her very well known by her. The younger man was roused at her voice and tried to come out of slight embarrassment of the handcuffs which suddenly clouded him.

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Section : II
"You'll excuse me for speaking miss, but, I see you're acquainted with the marshall here. If you'll ask him to speak a word for me when we get to the pen he'll do it, and it'll make things easier for me there. He's taking me to Leavenworth prison. It's seven years for counterfeiting." "Oh!" said the girl, with a deep breath and returning colour. "So that is what you are doing out here? A marshal!"

Qstn #1
What explanation was given by the other man to the young woman about Mr Easton?
Ans : When the other man saw that young lady was acquainted with the handsome man with him and seeing him handcuffed, he sensed Easton's embarrassment. On the other hand, the pretty woman was in a state of bewilderment, so he called Easton as a marshal who was taking him to the Leavenworth prison for seven years of imprisonment in the case of counterfeiting.

Qstn #2
What reason was given by Mr Easton for not going to Washington?
Ans : Mr Easton told the woman that he wanted to do something. Money, according to him had wings and to live in Washington, a lot of money is required. He saw the opportunities in the West as well. Miss Fairchild was surprised to know that Easton has preferred life in the West to become marshal over life in Washington.

Qstn #3
Why did Miss Fairchild call Mr Easton 'Dashing Western Hero'?
Ans : In the course of the conversation, the ruffled man told Miss Fairchild that he was being taken to Leavenworth prison for seven years of imprisonment in the case of counterfeiting. As the conversation continued, the woman was surprised to learn that Easton had given up the life in Washington to become a Marshal in West. She was impressed with this and called 'Dashing Western Hero' who ride and shoot and face all kinds of dangers.

Qstn #4
"My butterfly days are over", what kind of irony is there?
Ans : There is a verbal irony here as Mr Easton was not talking of his good days with Miss Fairchild. Rather he was talking about being locked up and not being free like a butterfly. His freedom had been snatched away because of his wrong act. But Miss Fairchild thought that he was talking about his social days and as he had taken up a job of responsibility, he won't be able to move as freely as he was earlier.

Qstn #5
Why were Miss Fairchild's eyes rested upon the glittering handcuffs and what did the other man explain her?
Ans : Miss Fairchild encountered Mr Easton, one of her old acquaintances in the same coach on the train to Denver in which she was travelling. She spoke to him but was surprised to see him handcuffed with the other man. The other man guessed her embarrassment and gave her an explanation. She then continued to chat with him but her eyes were still on handcuffs. The other man told her that she should not worry as all the marshals handcuffed themselves to their prisoners.

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Section : III
"I love the West," said the girl irrelevantly. Her eyes were shining softly. She looked away out the car window. She began to speak truly and simply without the gloss of style and manner : "Mamma and I spent the summer in Denver. She went home a week ago because father was slightly ill. I could live and be happy in the West. I think the air here agrees with me. Money isn't everything. But people always misunderstand things and remain stupid ---"

Qstn #1
How did Miss Fairchild support the life of the West?
Ans : Miss Fairchild loved the life at West, when she was telling this, her eyes were shining softly. She looked out of the car window. She began to speak honestly and plainly. She and her Mumma had spent the summer in Denver. She had gone back to home as her father was ill. The young lady could live and be happy in the West. The atmosphere there suited her. She supported the view of Easton as the money was not everything.