Treasure Trove Short Storie Workbook Answers An Angel in Disguise
An Angel in Disguise Questions and Answers Extract Based
Question 1.
Death touches the spring of our common humanity. This woman had been despised, scoffed at, and angrily denounced by nearly every man, woman, and child in the village; but now, as the fact of, her death was passed from lip to lip, in subdued tones, pity took the place of anger, and sorrow of denunciation. Neighbors 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.
(a) Where does the story take place? Which woman is being referred to here ? How did she die ?
Answer:
The story takes place in a village in the past where everyone had problems of their own. Everyone tried to be good while living within their means. A pauper woman who was accustomed to drinking alcohol is being referred to here. She died due to excessive alcohol use.
(b) How many children did the pauper woman leave behind her ? Why were the children frightened ? Why could they not help her ?
Answer:
The pauper woman left three children behind her. The children were extremely frightened to see their mother dying in their presence. They could not help their mother as they were too young.
(c) What kind of relation did the woman have with other ? Why do you think it was so ?
Answer:
The woman or dead mother had not good relations with others. She was greatly despised, scoffed at and angrily denounced by nearly every man, woman and child in the village because she was idle, immoral and alcoholic.
(d) Where did the woman live ? Where did she fall ? How many children did she have ?
Answer:
The woman lived in an old tumble down hut. She fell upon the threshold of her own door in a drunken fit. She had there children – two daughter and a son.
(e) What was the attitude of the villagers towards the woman when they heard of her death ?
Answer:
When the villagers heard of woman’s death, pity took the place of anger and sorrow of denunciation. With their sympathetic attitude they came forward to help her.
(f) Where did the neighbours go hastily to hear about the death of the woman ?
Answer:
The neighbours went hastily to the old tumble-down hut, in which she had secured little more than a place of shelter from summer heat and winter cold.
Question 2.
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 bright, active girl, out of whom something clever might be made, if in good hands; but poor little Maggie, the youngest, was hopelessly diseased. Two years before a fall from a window had injured her spine, and she had not been able to leave her bed since, except when lifted in the arms of her mother.
(a) What did the neighbours take to the dead woman’s hut ?
Answer:
Some of the neighbours brought with them grave-clothes for a decent burial of her body whereas some of them brought food for the half-starving children.
(b) Who was the strong one to earn living ? Who was bright and active ?
Answer:
One of the three children, John was a strong boy twelve years old and he was able to earn his living with any farmer. Kate, the younger daughter of the dead woman was a bright and active girl.
(c) How did the youngest one become a crippled ? In what state was she ?
Answer:
The youngest one whose name was Maggie became crippled because she had injured her spine two years ago. She was in a very pitiable state. She was unable to get up from her bed without the support of anyone.
(d) What was the main question before the villagers ? What opinions did they have ?
Answer:
The main question before the villagers was what should be done with the children after their mother’s death. They were of the opinions that the children should not be left to starve and supportless.
(e) Who adopted John ? Why ?
Answer:
A farmer named Jones adopted John because he thought that John was a strong boy and he would prove to be useful in his farming work and with his help he (Jones) would get support.
(f) Why did Mrs. Ellis adopt Kate ? What had Mrs. Ellis been looking for a long time ?
Answer:
Mrs. Ellis adopted Kate because she thought her to be a good maid. Mrs. Ellis had been looking for a bound girl for a long time.
Question 3.
But no one said “I’ll take Maggie.” Pitying glances were cast on her wan and wasted form and thoughts were troubled on her account. Mothers brought cast-off garments and, removing her soiled and ragged clothes, dressed her in clean attire. The sad eyes and patient face of the little one touched many hearts, and even knocked at them for entrance. But none opened to take her in. Who wanted a bed-ridden child?
“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.”
“The poorhouse is a sad place for a sick and helpless child, ” answered one.
(a) Who was neglected by the neighbours and why ?
Answer:
The poor little girl, Maggie was neglected by the neighbours because she was a crippled girl and no one wanted to take this burden.
(b) How did the ladies in the neighbourhood try to serve Maggie ?
Answer:
The ladies in the neighbourhood brought the discarded clothes and removing her soiled and ragged clothes dressed her in clean clothes.
(c) How did the villagers show their selfish and inhuman attitude.
Answer:
By not accepting the girl and leaving her alone and supportless, the villagers showed their selfish and inhuman attitude. As she was an invalid, no one came forward to adopt her. They thought that she would be a burden and trouble for them.
(d) Which thing of the poor little girl attract the attention of everyone ?
Answer:
The angelic face and the innocent looks of the little girl, Maggie attracted the attention of everybody and even knocked at their hearts for adopting her.
(e) Which shelter was suggested by one of the neighbours for the ‘bed-ridden’ child ? Why ?
Answer:
One of the neighbours suggested that the crippled or bed-ridden child should be sent to the poorhouse because according to him, for this sick child it would prove a blessed place where she would be kept clean, have healthy food and be doctored.
(f) Where did the farmer Jones go after burial rituals ? Why was Jones satisfied ?
Answer:
After the burial rituals, farmer Jones placed John in his wagon and drove away. Jones was satisfied to think that he had performed his duty as charity for the orphan boy by adopting him.
Question 4.
“It’s a cruel thing to leave her so. ”
“Then take her to the poorhouse: she’ll have to go there,” answered the blacksmith’s wife, springing away, and leaving Joe behind.
For a little while the man stood with a puzzled air; then he turned back, and went into the hovel again. Maggie with painful effort, had raised herself to an upright position and was sitting on the bed, straining her eyes upon the door out of which all had just departed, A vague terror had come into her thin white face.
“O, Mr. Thompson!” she cried out, catching her suspended breath, “don’t leave me here all alone!” .
(a) How did the children feel while departing from each other ?
Answer:
While saying goodbye to each other, all the children were highly dejected.
They were sheding tears from their eyes. Their hearts were heavy with utter sorrow.
(b) Where was Mr, Joe Thompson stood ? What did he say to blacksmith’s wife ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe Thompson was stood beyond the threshold. He said to blacksmith’s wife that it was a cruel thing to leave the little child alone and supportless.
(c) What did blacksmith’s wife answer ? In what state did Mr. Joe stand there ?
Answer:
Blacksmith’s wife answered that the poorhouse is a suitable place for her, hence she should be sent there at any cost. Mr. Joe stood there in a confused state.
(d) What was Maggie doing when Mr. Joe went into hovel again ?
Answer:
Maggie with painful effort had raised herself to an upright position and was sitting on the bed, straining her eyes upon the door out of which all had just departed.
(e) What did Maggie request to Mr. Thompson ? Why was Maggie’s effort to raise herself painful ?
Answer:
On seeing Mr. Joe Thompson before her, she cried out catching her suspended breath and requested him not to leave her alone. Maggie’s effort to raise herself was painful as she had injured her spine two years ago. Hence she always needed the support of someone.
(f) What was the profession of Mr. Joe ? How did he look outwardly ? What kind of man was he ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe Thompson was a wheelwright by profession. Outwardly, he looked very tough and strong. Unlike his external appearance he was a kind- hearted and compassionate man.
Question 5.
“No, dear, ” he answered, in a kind voice, going to the bed, and stooping down over the child, “You sha’n’t be left here alone.” Then he wrapped her with the gentleness almost of a woman, in the clean bedclothes which some neighbour had brought; and, lifting her in his strong arms, bore her out into the air and across the field that lay between the hovel and his home.
Now, Joe Thompson’s wife, who happened to be childless, was not a woman of saintly temper, nor much given to self-denial for others’ good, and Joe had well-grounded doubts touching the manner of greeting he should receive on his arrival. Mrs. Thompson saw him approaching from the window, and with ruffling feathers met him a few paces from the door, as he opened the garden gate, and came in. He bore a precious burden, and he felt it to be so. As his arms held the sick child to his breast, a sphere of tenderness went out from her, and penetrated his feelings. A bond had already corded itself around them both, and love was springing into life.
(a) What did Mr. Joe Thompson decide to see the little girl ?
Answer:
On seeing the little girl lying on her bed alone, Mr. Joe Thompson was overwhelmed with compassionate feelings towards her and he decided to take her to his house.
(b) What idea of the villagers did he not like ? How did he console the frightened girl ?
Answer:
He did not like the idea of the villagers who wanted to send her (Maggie) to the poorhouse. The little girl who was left alone by the neighbours and villagers as nobody wanted to adopt her knowing her a burden, was greatly frightened. At this moment, Mr. Joe came to her and spoke in a kind voice consoling her that he would not leave her there.
(c) How tenderly did he take her to his house ?
Answer:
Wrapping her with the gentleness almost of a mother in the clean bed colthes which some neighbours had brought, he lifted her in his strong arms and took her to his house.
(d) Whom did Mrs. Thompson see approaching ? What ‘precious burden’ was he carrying ? Why was the burden ‘precious’ ?
Answer:
Mrs. Thompson saw Mr. Joe Thompson, who was her husband, approaching. He bore a precious burden in the form of a crippled (invalid) child. The burden was precious because it aroused the feeling of love and affection in his heart.
(e) What kind of nature did Mrs. Thompson have ? What doubts did Mr. Thompson have about his welcome.
Answer:
Mra. Thompson was an ill-tempered and irritable lady. She was not a woman of saintly temper, nor much given to self denal for others’ good. Mr. Joe had well-grounded doubts that on reaching his home, he would be welcomed with angry tones of his wife.
(f) Explain the following: ‘A precious burden, and he felt it to be so. ’ What kind of bond had developed between them ?
Answer:
As Mr. Joe Thompson’s arms held the sick child to his breast, a sphere of tenderness went out from her and penetrated his feelings. Hence he felt it a precious burden. A bond of love and affection and tender feelings had developed between Maggie and Mr. Joe.
Question 6.
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.
“You haven’t brought home that sick brat!” Anger and astonishment were in the tones of Mrs. Joe Thompson; her face was in a flame.
“I think women’s hearts are sometimes very hard,” said Joe. Usually Joe Thompson got out of his wife’s way, or kept rigidly silent and non- combative when she fired up on any subject; it was with some surprise, therefore, that she now encountered a firmly-set countenance and a resolute pair of eyes.
(a) What did Mrs. Thompson ask her husband ? What kind of attitude did she show towards her husband ?
Answer:
Mrs. Thompson asked her husband why he had brought the sick child at their house. She showed extreme anger while talking to her husband. Her face was flaming with the expression of violent anger.
(b) How did the child react to see the violent anger of Mrs. Thompson ? How did Mr. Joe respond at his wife’s anger ?
Answer:
On seeing the violent anger of Mrs. Thompson, the little child was greatly frightened and shrank against him. Mr. Joe did not reply and argue. He only gave a look that was pleading and cautionary and which meant to have patience and be calm for explanations.
(c) Where did Mr. Joe carry the little child ? What did he do then ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe carried the little child to the small chamber on the first floor and put her on a bed tenderly and comfortably. After this, he stopped back, shut the door and stood face to face with his ill-tempered wife.
(d) What did Mr. Joe Thompson usually do when his wife grew violent on any subject ? Why ?
Answer:
When Mr. Joe’s wife grew anger on any subject, he got out of his wife’s way or kept rigidly silent and non-combative because he knew that women’s hearts are sometimes very hard.
(e) Explain the following: ‘Women’s hearts are sometimes very hard’.
Answer:
Sometimes, women seem to be very hard. They show their anger and stem attitude, but soon they become calm when they come to realise as there is a soft comer in their hearts. Women are the embodiment of love and compassion.
(f) What could Mr. Joe immediately see ? What reason did Joe give his wife for bringing the child home ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe could see that his resolute bearing had impressed his wife. He told his wife that after the burial rituals, everyone had gone away and nobody adopted the invalid child. She was left alone and supportless there. So he brought the child his home.
Question 7.
“Farmer Jones tossed John into his wagon, and drove off. Katie went home with Mrs. Ellis; but nobody wanted the poor sick one. ‘Send her to the poorhouse; was the cry.”
“Why didn’t you let her go, then. What did you bring her here for?” “She can’t walk to the poorhouse,” said Joe; “somebody’s arms must carry her, and mine are strong enough for that task.”
“Then why didn’t you keep on? Why did you stop here?” demanded the wife.
“Because I’m not apt to go on fools’ errands. The Guardians must first be seen, and a permit obtained.”
(a) Who adopted John and Kate ? What did the neighbours suggest for the invalid child ?
Answer:
John was adopted by a farmer named Jones whereas Kate was adopted by Mrs. Ellis. But no one was willing to adopt the invalid child. The neighbours suggested that she should be sent to the poorhouse.
(b) What did Mr. Joe say when asked by his wife why he brought her to their house ?
Answer:
When Mr. Joe asked by his wife the reason of his bringing the child to their house, he told her that the child could not walk to the poorhouse and she needed someone’s strong arms and he thought that his arms were strong enough for this task.
(c) Explain the following: ‘Because I’m not apt to go on fool’s errands’.
Answer:
It was a sheer foolishness to send the child to the poorhouse without meeting with the guardians of the poorhouse and collecting the information and he did not want to make that mistake.
(d) How did Mrs. Thompson show her impatience about the child ?
Answer:
Mrs. Thompson did not seem to be willing to allow the little child to stay
at their house for a single night. She could not wait for the next day. So she asked her husband to go atonce for the permit and get the whole thing off his hands that night.
(e) How did Mr. Joe try to convince Mrs. Thompson ? Why ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe tried to convince Mrs. Thompson by giving the moral teaching of the Bible because he wanted that Mrs. Thompson should develop an emotional and affectionate attachment with the little child.
(f) Why did Jesus rebuke his disciples ? What did Jesus do with the children ? What would happen to those who gave the children even a cup of cold water ?
Answer:
Jesus rebuked his disciples because they did not help the little children. Jesus himself took up the children in his arms and blessed them. Those who gave the children even a cup of cold water would be rewarded in heaven.
Question 8.
The voice of the strong, rough man shook, and he turned his head away, so that the moisture in his eyes might not be seen. Mrs. Thompson did not answer, but a soft feeling crept into her heart.
“Look at her kindly, Jane; speak to her kindly, ” said Joe. “Think of her dead mother, and the loneliness, the pain, the sorrow that must he on all her coming life. ” The softness of his heart gave unwonted eloquence to his lips.
Mrs. Thompson did not reply, but presently turned towards the little chamber where her husband had deposited Maggie; and, pushing open the door, went quietly in. Joe did not follow; he saw that, her state had changed, and felt that it would be best to leave her alone with the child. So he went to his shop, which stood near the house, and worked until dusky evening released him from labor. A light shining through the little chamber windows was the first object that attracted Joe’s attention on turning towards the house.
(a) What did Mr. Joe suggest his wife after introducing her with a moral teaching.
Answer:
After introducing his wife with a moral teaching related to the Bible, Mr. Joe suggested her (his wife) that they should keep the motherless little child for a single night. Moreover they should be kind to her and make her life comfortable for a single night.
(b) What change was seen in Mr. Joe Thompson when he was asking his wife to be kind and sympathetic to the little child ?
Answer:
When Mr. Joe Thompson asked his wife to be kind and sympathetic to the little child for a single night, his voice trembled though he was a strong man and his eyes were wet with tears.
(c) What made Mrs. Thompson move towards Maggie in the little chamber ?
Answer:
When Mr. Joe asked Mrs. Thompson to look at and speak to Maggie kindly and think of her dead mother and the loneliness, the pain and sorrow, this touched her deeply and she, without replying, turned towards the little chamber where Maggie was lying in the bed.
(d) Why did Mr. Joe think of leaving his wife alone with the little child ? Where did he go ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe Thompson thought of leaving his wife alone with the little child because he wanted that in his absence she might develop tender feelings and love for the little child. He Went to his shop which was situated near his house.
(e) How longer did Mr. Joe work in his shop ? What attracted him ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe worked in his shop until dusky evening released him from labour.
A light shining through the little chamber windows attracted Joe’s attention on turning towards the house.
(f) Why did Joe consider light shining through the windows a good omen ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe considered light shining through the windows a good omen because he thought that his wife might have been sitting in the chamber of the little girl for developing an affectionate intimacy with the girl.
(g) What did Joe see when he peeped through the windows of the little chamber ?
Answer:
When Mr. Joe peeped through the windows of the little chamber, he saw that Maggie was lying, a little raised on the pillow with the lamp shining full upon her face and Mrs. Thompson was sitting by the bed and was talking to the child.
Question 9.
On entering, Joe did not go immediately to the little chamber. His heavy tread about the kitchen brought his wife somewhat hurriedly from the room where she had been with Maggie. Joe thought it best not to refer to the child, nor to manifest any concern in regard to her.
“How soon will supper be ready?” he asked.
“Right soon, ” answered Mrs. Thompson, beginning to bustle about. There was no asperity in her voice.
(a) Why could Mr. Joe not see his wife’s face ? How was Mr. Joe able to read the character of their intercourse ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe could not see his wife’s face because her back was towards the windows. Mr. Joe was able to read the character of their intercourse from Maggie’s face.
(b) What brought Mrs. Joe Thompson from the room ? What did Joe think at that time ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe’s heavy tread about the kitchen brought Mrs. Thompson some-what hurriedly from the room where she had been with Maggie. Joe thought it better not to refer to the child, nor to manifest any concern in regard to her.
(c) What did Mr. Joe ask his wife ? What did he feel about her voice?
Answer:
Mr. Joe asked his wife how soon the supper would be ready. She replied
in a very brief way ‘right soon’. Mr. Joe felt that there was no asperity in her vioce.
(d) What did Mr. Joe do before going to the little bedroom ? What did Mr. Joe see when he examined the little girl’s face carefully ?
Answer:
Before going to the little bedroom, Mr. Joe washed his hands and face and then went to the little bedroom. When Mr. Joe examined the thin face of the little girl carefully, he saw that it was an attractive face and full of childish sweetness which suffering had not been able to obliterate.
(e) What disturbed when Mr. Joe was talking to the little girl ? Why did Mr. Joe glance at his wife’s face?
Answer:
Mr. Joe’s wife’s call for the supper disturbed the talk which was going on between him and the girl. Mr. Joe glanced at his wife’s face as if he was asking about the food of the little girl.
(f) Did Mrs. Joe Thompson understand what her husband was asking her by looking at her.
Answer:
Yes, Mrs. Joe Thompson understood Mr. Joe’s indication and she replied that she (Maggie) cauld wait until they were done and then she would bring her somthing to eat.
Question 10.
There was an effort at indifference on the part of Mrs. Thompson, but her husband had seen her through the window, and understood that the coldness was assumed. Joe waited, after sitting down to the table, for his wife to introduce the subject uppermost in both of their thoughts;
(a) What did Mr. Joe observe and what did he understand ?
Mr. Joe observed that Mrs. Thompson made an effort to show her indifferent attitude towards the little girl but understood that the coldness was assumed.
(b) For which thing did Mr. Joe wait after sitting down to the table ? How did she react ?
After sitting down to the table, Joe waited for his wife to discuss over the subject of the little girl, but she remained silent for sometime, then spoke abruptly what he was going to do with the child.
(c) What was Mrs. Thompson’s reaction when her husband said that the little girl was to go to the poorhouse ?
When Mr. Joe said that the little girl was to go to the poorhouse, Mrs. Thompson looked rather strangely at her husband and then, instead of talking further, dropped her eyes.
(d) What did Mrs. Thompson do after they had taken their supper?
After Mr. Joe and his wife had taken their supper, Mrs. Thompson toasted a slice of bread and softened it with milk and butter; adding to thing a cup of tea, she took them into the chamber of the little girl.
(e) What awake the slumbering human feeling in her heart ? What did Mrs. Thompson say to her husband the next morning ?
The child’s look of gratitude awoke old human feelings which had been slumbering in her heart for half a score of years. At breakfast, time on the next morning, Mrs. Thompson said to her husband that they would keep the little girl a day or two longer.
(f) Did Mr. Joe go to see the guardians of the poorhouse ?
No, Mr. Joe did not go to see the guardians of the poorhouse. Infact he never saw them at all on Maggie’s account because he knew that for in less than a week, Mrs. Joe Thompson would give up thought of sending the child to the poorhouse.
(g) Who came into Mr. Joe’s house in disguise and what happened them ?
An angel came into Mr. Joe’s house, disguised as sick, helpless and miserable child and filled all its dreamy chamber with the sunshine of love.
(h) Why had Mr. Joe’s wife become irritable and ill-tempered.
It had been dark, cold and miserable there for a long time and his wife had nothing to love and care for out herself, so she had become sore, irritable, ill-tempered and self afflicting in the desolation of her woman’s nature.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How were the villagers selfish and inhuman while giving a helping hand to the motherless children ?
Answer:
There lived a pauper woman in a village. She was accustomed to having liquor. She died due to drinking too much alcohol. She left all the three children – John, Kate and Maggie—supportless. There was none to look after them. The children were not grown enough to take care of themselves. The dead woman was hated and denounced by the villagers. But the villagers gathered at her old tumble down hut to show sympathy. Some of them brought with them grave-clothes for a decent burial of her body whereas some of them brought food for the half-starving children.
After the death of the pauper woman, a question rose before the villagers in the concern of the future of the children. John, the eldest boy was twelve years old. He was a strong boy. Kate was between ten to eleven and was bright and active girl, but the third one whose name was Maggie was an invalid child. As she had injured her spine two year ago, she was crippled for life. The villagers thought that the childern could not be left to starve. When the matter was considered carefully by the farmer Jones, he discussed his wife on this matter and decided to adopt the twelve years old boy named John. John was strong and seemed to be very helpful to Jones in his work of farming.
While adopting John, the farmer would have thought of his personal gain. He wanted to fulfil his purpose with the help of the boy, hence he was selfish in his act and nature. Under the cloak of kind and sympathetic attitude, he wanted to fulfil his selfish end. He wanted him to act like a servant. By doing so, he could increase his income and prosperity. Thus he proved himself completely selfish. Next a lady, Mrs. Ellis came forward to adopt Kate as her maid. Actually she had been looking for a long time for a maid for household work, but she could not find. She thought that Kate would be a good maid as she was bright and active. Hence, here was also selfish motive of the lady. The lady did not adopt her to look after her but adopted her for her personal gain.
Then, we come to know about the inhuman nature of the villagers who showed themselves sympathetic, but none of them came forward to adopt the invalid child, Maggie who had a dire neeed of help. Everyone ignored the crippled girl knowing her as a burden. At this place the villagers showed their inhuman nature by not giving a helping hand to the girl who was unable to move from her bed without any support. They turned their eyes from her knowing as a meaningless thing. They did not even think for a moment how this poor girl would survive without support. The villagers were of the opinion that Maggie should be sent to the poorhouse where she would be kept clean, provided healthy food and given medical treatment.
Thus, after the burial of the pauper woman, John and Kate were taken away by their new families and Maggie was left alone and supportless. At this stage the villagers seemed to be very cruel and harsh towards the poor girl.
Question 2.
How does alcohol bring utter ruin for a poor family and also become the foremost cause of children’s suffering ?
Answer:
Alcohol is a great curse for the poor family. It not only becomes the root cause of the ruin of a poor family but also invites sorrow and suffering for the children. In the story An Angel in Disguise, the poor woman was accustomed to taking liquor. Once, due to taking heavy dose of liquor, she died in front of three small children. Her untimely death made them orphan and supportless in this selfish world where no one thinks of other’s sorrows and sufferings. Her fondness of taking liquor became a curse for her family. She was so mad after this bad habit that she did not think of the future of her small children and kept on going with this habit. Under the great impact of wine, she was wholly careless towards her children’s well-being.
After the death of the pauper woman, the three children were left alone and supportless with sufferings, pains and sorrows. There was none to look after them and give them motherly affection. Though the villagers showed their false sympathy for the children, but in the absence of their mother, they were deprived of true love and affection. One of her children named John was forced to live a life of a slave in a farmer’s house because the farmer adopted him as a helping hand in his farming. In such a tender age, he had to toil with a farmer. Another child named Kate was adopted by a woman who had been looking for a maid for a long time. Third one, Maggie who was invalid, was left alone on her condition. As she was a bed-ridden, no one came forward to adopt her because she was thought to be useless and a burden.
Thus, alcohol performed a vital role in bringing utter ruin for the poor family. It brought children into a miserable situation. It forced the children to live on the mercy of others. The children were shattered by the love of her mother at a young age.
Question 3.
‘Though rough in exterior, Joe Thompson had a heart’. Discuss it in the context of the story.
Answer:
It is true that Mr. Joe Thompson looked a very tough man in his outward appearance, but he had a heart filled with tender feelings. He was a kind and sympathetic man. In the story, after the death of the pauper woman, John and Kate were adopted by a farmer name John and a lady named Ellis. But as Maggie was a crippled girl and was of no use for the villagers, she was left there alone and supportless. The villagers suggested that the poor house would be an appropriate place for the invalid girl, so she should be sent there. After the funeral of the dead body, all the villagers went away from there leaving the invalid girl on her pitiable condition. They did not show any concern for her future.
The poor little girl who could not move from bed without the support of anyone was lying on her bed and was looking the crowd of people going from her house with her blank eyes. Her elder brother and sister had also gone with their new owners. She was utterly sad, but there was none to understand her sorrow and feeling. Just beyond the threshold, Joe Thompson, the wheelwright, stopped and said to the blacksmith’s wife who was hastening off with the rest, that it is cruel thing to leave the girl in such a pitiable state. The blacksmith’s wife replied that she should be sent to the poorhouse. For a little while the man, Joe Thompson stood there with a puzzled air, then turned back and went into the hovel again. Maggie with painful effort, had raised herself to an upright position and was sitting on the bed, straining her eyes upon the door out of which all had just departed.
On seeing Mr. Joe Thompson, Maggie begged him not to leave her there all alone. Thompson had a special comer for the children. He liked and loved children very much. When he saw the poor innocent girl in such a pathetic state, he seemed to be overwhelmed with emotions and affectionate feeling for the girl. Her heart touching request shook him in. Going to her bed and stooping down over the child, he assured her in a kind voice saying that should not be left there alone.
Then he picked her up, wrapped her gently in clean bed- clothes and took her to his home. Though he knew that his ill-tempered and irritable wife would oppose and would not allow the child to stay at their house, he did not care her. He felt the girl a precious bunden. He had developed a bond of love with the girl. Without caring the angry tones of his wife, he carried the little girl to the small chamber and laid her on a bed.
In fact, Mr. Joe’s emotional attachment with the little girl was so intense that he could not think of her leaving to the poorhouse. When his wife insisted him to go at once to the poorhouse and talk to the guardians, he tried to his best to convince his wife by giving a biblical reference. While mentioning Jesus’ kindness towards children, his voice shook and he turned his head away, so that the moisture of his eyes might not be seen. He spoke to Jane :
‘Look at her kindly Jane ; speak to her kindly. Think at her dead mother and the loneliness, the pain, the sorrow that must be on all her coming life.’
Finally, it can be observed that unlike his external appearance, he was a kind-hearted, generous and sympathetic man. He had a special inclination towards the children. It was he who was determined to take Maggie to his house when every body else in the village wanted her be sent to the poorhouse.
Question 4.
How do you come to know that Mr. Joe Thompson was an intuitive man and was aware of a woman’s nature ? How did he calm his wife’s anger and bring a change in her ?
Answer:
Mr. Joe was an intuitive man who was aware of a woman’s nature in general and his wife’s feelings in particular. He knew that women’s hearts are sometimes very hard. Usually Joe Thompson got out of his wife’s way or kept rigidly silent and non-combative when she fired up on any subject. While bringing the poor little girl to his house, he was aware of the fact that he would have to endure the hostility of his ill-tempered wife on reaching house.
When Mr. Joe reached his house with the child, Jane grew furious to see the invalid child in his arms and asked the reason of bringing her in their house. At that moment, he thought it better to remain silent and took Maggie to a small room on the first floor and laid her down on a bed and made her comfortable before he encountered his angry wife.
Then he calmed her saying that he had brought Maggie house for the night and would take her to the poorhouse the next day. Mr. Joe saw, by a quick intuition that his resolute bearing had impressed his wife and he answererd quickly and with real indignation :
‘Be that as it may, every woman at the funeral turned her eyes steadily from the sick child’s face and when the cart went off with her dead mother, hurried away and left her alone in that old hut, with the sun not an hour in the sky. ’
When Mr. Joe saw that his wife was not ready to allow the girl to stay at their house even for a night, he mentioned a reference of the Bible :
I read in the Bible sometimes and find much said about little children. How the savior rebuked the disciples who would not receive them; how he took them up in his arms, and blessed them; and how he said that whosoever gave them even a cup of cold water should not go unrewarded’.
Then, he further said that it was a small thing for them to keep the poor motherless little one for a single night; to be kind to her for a single night; to make her life comfortable for a single night. While speaking to his wife about the little child, his voice shook and this impressed his wife extently. Mrs. Thompson did not reply, but presently turned towards the little chamber where her husband had put Maggie and pushing open the door, went quietly in.
When Mr. Joe returned from his shop, he was extermely surprised to see a great change in his wife. He saw that Mrs. Thompson was sitting by the bed of the girl and was talking to the child. He found that the little girl had no fear. Her eyes were intently fixed upon his wife. He knew that his wife has developed a soft comer for the little girl and she was no more angry with her.
Question 5.
“The story An Angel in Disguise portrays the redeeming power of love through the character of Mrs. Thompson.’ Discuss it with reference to the story ?
Answer:
In the beginning of the story, Mrs. Thompson has been presented a hard-hearted, ill-tempered and irritable woman. She was not a woman of saintly temper, nor much given to self denial for other’s good. When she saw her husband bringing an invalid child into their house, she burst into anger. She sharply questioned him what he has brought there. Anger and astonishment were in the tones of Mrs. Joe Thompson and her face was in a flame.
She enquired him of the reason for not taking Maggie to the poorhouse. But Joe knew what his wife secretly craved for and thus left her alone with the child. He went to his shop which stood near the house and worked until dusky evening released him from labour. A light shining through the little chamber windows was the first object that attracted Joe’s attention on turning towards the house. The path led him by this window and, when opposite, he could not help pausing to look in. It was now dark enough outside to screen him from observation. Maggie lay, a little raised on the pillow with the lamp shining full upon her face.
Mrs. Thompson was sitting by the bed, talking to the child; but her back was towards the window, so that her countenance was not seen. From Maggie’s face, therefore, Joe must read the character of their intercourse. He saw that her eyes were intently fixed upon his wife; that now and then a few words came, as if in answer from her lips; that her expression was sad and tender; but he saw nothing of bitterness or pain. A deep-drawn breath was followed by one of relief as a weight lifted itself from his heart.
On entering, Joe did not go immediately to the little chamber. His heavy tread about the kitchen brought his wife somewhat hurriedly from the room where she had been with Maggie. Joe thought it best not to refer to the child nor to manifest any concern in regard to her. He found that when he asked her about the supper, there was no asperity in her voice.
‘How soon will supper be ready ?’ he asked ‘Right room; answered Mrs. Thompson, beginning to bustle about:
After sitting down to the table, Joe waited for his wife to introduce the subject, but Mrs.Thompson kept silent on that theme for many minutes. At last she asked Mr. Joe what he was going to do with that child. Joe replied that she was to go to the poorhouse. Mrs. Thompson looked rather strangely at her husband and then dropped her eyes. After that, Mrs. Thompson began to take care of Maggie She fed a Maggie with great motherly affection. The love for the child had changed her. Now, she was no more an irritable woman and gave up taking alcohol and remained in cheerful mood. She no longer wishes to send away the child to the poorhouse but wanted to take care of her as a mother.