06: An Angel In Disguise By T - S - Arthur : Icse-x-english

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06: An Angel in Disguise by T - S - Arthur

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from An Angel in Disguise by T. S. Arthur
Read the extract and answer the following questions:

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Section : I
Neighbours went hastily to the old tumble-down hut, in which she had secured little more than a place of shelter from summer heats and winter cold: some with grave-clothes for a decent interment of the body; and some with food for the half-starving children, three in number. Of these, John, the oldest, a boy of twelve, was a stout lad, able to earn his living with any farmer. Kate, between ten and eleven, was a bright, active girl, out of whom something clever might be made, if in good hands; but poor little Maggie, the youngest, was hopelessly diseased.

Qstn #1
What could be the possible reason for woman's death?
Ans : The woman was discovered dead at the threshold of her own door in the presence of her three children. She was in a drunken state, her body lay cold and still among her miserable children. Looking at her house and the children's condition, we can guess that she was a big alcoholic.

Qstn #2
People hated the woman; still, they turned upon her death. Give reason.
Ans : It is truly said that why we do not rejoice at our birth and lament on death because we are the person concerned. Howsoever one may be hostile towards someone but death changes and touches the inner self of the person. The same thing happened here; the dead woman was despised, mocked and condemned by almost every member of the village. But when she died, everybody gathered around her house. They were more worried about her wretched children more than herself and so in spite of pitying her, they were angry with her.

Qstn #3
How did everyone try to help the children in their own way?
Ans : Compassion is the desire to ease other's sufferings and help the less fortunate. Neighbours went quickly to the old tumble-down hut as soon as they heard the news of the poor woman's death. It was only sufficient enough to secure the family from the summer heat or winter cold. They came with grave clothes for the decent burial of the body and some came with food for the half-starving children.

Qstn #4
How many children did the dead woman leave behind?
Ans : There were three children in all who were orphaned after the mother's death. They were nearly half-starving. Of these, John was the oldest boy of twelve years. He was a stout lad who was able to earn his living with any farmer. The second child named Kate was between ten and eleven. She was a bright and active girl. She could turn out to be very useful if in good hands. The youngest among them was the poor little Maggie who was hopelessly diseased.

Qstn #5
How was the youngest child Maggie got disabled? What was her prospective future?
Ans : Maggie was the dead woman's third child. Two years ago, she had fallen from a window and injured her spine for which she was bed-ridden. Since then she had not been able to leave her bed except when lifted in the arms of her mother. She was crippled for life and nobody wanted to take her home as she would turn out to be a burden for anyone. Her innocent looks attracted everyone but no one was ready to take her. It was decided that she should be sent to the poorhouse.

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Section : II
"Take her to the poorhouse", said a rough man, of whom the question "What's to be done with Maggie?" was asked. "Nobody's going to be bothered with her." "A poorhouse is a sad place for a sick and helpless child", answered one. "For your child or mine", said the other, lightly speaking: "but for this brat is will prove a blessed change, she will be kept clean, have healthy food, and be doctored, which is more than can be said of her past condition."

Qstn #1
What was finally decided for the children?
Ans : After the mother's death, the chief question which arose was "What is to be done with the children?" The dead mother would be buried soon and she would be free from all the care or concern of the villagers, but humanity was something that could not leave the children to starve. After considering the matter and having discussed with his wife, farmer Jones decided to take John with him. Mrs Ellis who was looking out for a bound girl did charity on her part by making the choice of Katy, although she was too young to be useful for her. Only Maggie was left.

Qstn #2
Why no one was ready to take Maggie home when her elder brother and sister's fate had already been decided?
Ans : Maggie was suffering from a hopeless disease in which she could not get up on her own feet. She was completely dependent on other's mercy. Her spine was damaged and therefore she was confined to bed for the rest of her life. After her mother's death, she was left all alone in the house. Nobody wanted to deal with her disability as she could be of no use for anybody except a burden though all had pitied her condition.

Qstn #3
What did the neighbourhood women bring for Maggie? But humanity did not arise for a poor sick child. Comment.
Ans : The fate of the elder two children was decided in the hands of farmer Jones and Mrs Ellis but no one said that I'll take Maggie. People were giving pity glances on her pale and thin structure and ideas were exchanged on her account. The women helped to remove her soiled and ragged clothes, dressed her in clean attire. Somber the gloomy eyes and patient face of Maggie touched every heart but nobody was ready to open it for her. Nobody wanted a bedridden child.

Qstn #4
What suggestions were given by the people for little Maggie?
Ans : There were as many suggestions as there were people. The first suggestion came from a rough man who suggested her to be taking to the poor house. Nobody was concerned for her as she seemed to be a burden. Another one remarked that the poor house was a sad place for a sick and helpless child. To this, another one responded that it might be a sad place for "Your child or mine". But for poor Maggie, it would be a blessing as she would be kept clean, have healthy food, would be doctored and taken care very well.

Qstn #5
What was the scene of the burial day?
Ans : The day following the day of death was decided as the day of burial. A few neighbours were present at the miserable place but nobody followed the dead cart to the grave. Farmer Jones took John in his wagon after the coffin was taken out and drove away feelings contented that he had fulfilled his duty. Mrs Ellis also hurriedly asked Kate to bid her sister goodbye and drew the tearful children apart. Both the sisters gave a sobbing farewell to each other. Others went out hurriedly glancing at Maggie and some refrained from a look. The only bedridden child was left unconcerned.

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Section : III
"What have you there?" sharply questioned Mrs Thompson. Joe felt the child start and shrink against him. He did not reply, except by a look that was pleading and cautionary, that said, "Wait a moment for explanations, and be gentle", and passing in, carried Maggie to the small chamber on the first floor, and laid her on a bed. Then, stepping back, he shut the door and stood face to face with his vinegar tempered wife in the passage-way outside.

Qstn #1
Who said, "Then take her to the poorhouse: she'll have to go there?" Why did Joe Thompson go to Maggie's hovel again?
Ans : The above words are said by the blacksmith's wife who was hastening off with the rest of the villagers after the burial of the children's mother. John was immediately taken away by farmer Jones and Mrs Ellis took away Kate. Maggie was almost alone in the hovel. Blacksmith's wife replied this to Mr Joe Thompson's when he called it a cruel thing to leave Maggie like that. She also left the place hurriedly leaving Joe behind. He was puzzled for a while and then went inside again to have a look on her and perhaps with a decision in his mind.