Class 10 English - WEST-BENGAL
Supplementary: A Question of Trust
Supplementary: A Question of Trust by Victor Canning tells the story of Horace Danby, a fifty-year-old meticulous lock-maker who commits one robbery a year to finance his expensive hobby of collecting rare and expensive books. The narrative takes an ironic turn when he plans a safe robbery at Shotover Grange and encounters a clever young woman posing as the homeowner, who tricks him into opening the safe for her. This chapter is vital for WBBSE Class 10 board exams as it tests narrative comprehension, character analysis, and the ability to answer critical thinking questions based on themes like morality, deceit, and poetic justice.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Horace Danby's Character
Horace is respected as an honest and successful businessman, yet he is secretly a thief who robs only once a year to buy rare books.
The Irony of Trust
The title highlights the theme that there is no honor among thieves, as Horace trusts the clever young woman believing she is the house owner, only to be betrayed and framed by her.
The Clever Lady in Red
A young, attractive, and extremely confident woman who outwits Horace by pretending to be the mistress of Shotover Grange, making him open the safe.
The Climax and Twist
Horace is eventually arrested because his fingerprints are found all over the safe, as he had taken off his gloves to please the woman, leading to his imprisonment.
Hay Fever Allergy
Horace suffers from hay fever in summer, and the smell of flowers in the drawing-room triggers sneezing, which eventually compromises his smooth planning.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) Class 10 English examination, supplementary chapters generally carry around 4 to 8 marks through Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), short answer type questions, and descriptive analytical questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Horace steals once a year because he wants enough money to buy rare and expensive books, and this limited theft helps him live quietly without arousing suspicion for twelve months.
Horace steals once a year to buy expensive, rare books that he loves to read. By limiting his thefts, he manages to live comfortably and honestly for the rest of the year.
How did the young woman trick Horace Danby?
The young woman acted with absolute confidence, pretending to be the owner of the house. She threatened to call the police unless Horace opened the safe for her, making him remove his gloves in the process.
Why was Horace Danby finally arrested?
Horace was arrested because he had taken off his gloves while opening the safe for the young woman, leaving his bare fingerprints all over the room, which the police easily traced.
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