GSEB Class 10 English Solutions Chapter 4 A Question of Trust

Read And Find Out (Textbook Page No. 20)

Question 1. What does Horace Danby like to collect?
Answer: Horace Danby loved to gather uncommon and costly books.
In simple words: Horace Danby really liked collecting books that were hard to find and expensive.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to character descriptions and their unique hobbies, as these often reveal key plot points.

Question 2. Why does he steal every year?
Answer: He committed theft every year so that he could purchase the uncommon and costly books he adored gathering. Every year, he planned thoroughly, took enough to last a whole year, and secretly purchased the books via an agent.
In simple words: He stole money each year to buy special, expensive books he loved. He planned carefully to get enough money for a year and bought the books secretly.

Exam Tip: When explaining motives, ensure you cover both the immediate reason and any underlying planning or methods mentioned.

Read And Find Out (Textbook Page No. 22)

Question 1. Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
Answer: A woman standing in the entry was talking to Horace Danby. She was youthful and attractive, and wore red clothing. She mentioned she had arrived just in time, or else her household would have been burgled by Horace. So, she acted as if she was a member of the family residing at Shotover Grange.
In simple words: A young, pretty woman in a red dress was talking to Horace Danby. She pretended to be from the family living at Shotover Grange.

Exam Tip: Describe characters fully when introducing them, including their appearance and initial actions, as these details can be significant to the plot.

Question 2. Who is the real culprit in the story?
Answer: The actual wrongdoer was the woman who acted as if she belonged to the household residing at Shotover Grange. She fooled Horace into trusting her, and skillfully took all the gems that were stored in the vault.
In simple words: The real thief was the woman who pretended to be part of the family at Shotover Grange. She tricked Horace and took all the jewelry from the safe.

Exam Tip: Identify the antagonist clearly and explain how their deception contributed to the central conflict of the story.

A Question Of Trust Summary In English

A Question Of Trust Summary:

Horace Danby possessed a good standing in his community. He was about fifty and single. He crafted locks and employed two assistants. He loved uncommon and costly books. Horace stole from a safe annually. He was currently preparing to commit a theft. For two weeks, Horace had examined the Shotover Grange home. He intended to break into this residence. Horace Danby entered the dwelling. Horace had an allergy to blooms; he began to sneeze.

Then he heard a sound. The sound informed him that it could fix the sneeze. It was the voice of a female. She stood in the entrance. She was youthful and attractive. His first idea was to escape.* The woman told him that she would call the police. She would inform them about him. Horace Danby asked her to let him leave and forget she had ever seen him. The woman set one requirement for letting Horace depart. She told him that she had pledged to her spouse to bring her gems to the financial institution.

She had, however, forgotten gems in the vault. She told him that she wished to wear the jewels at a celebration that evening. She descended to retrieve them. But she had forgotten the codes to unlock the safe. So she required his assistance, and Horace opened the safe for her. After two days, a police officer had detained him for the jewel theft at Shotover Grange. Danby's fingerprints were discovered throughout the chamber.

He had unlocked the vault without protection. He stated to the authorities that the property owner of the residence told him to open the safe. However, the woman was 60 years old. She declared Danby's narrative was absurd. Horace now serves as an assistant librarian in jail. He frequently ponders the attractive and intelligent young lady. She shared his line of work. She had merely deceived him. Danby becomes furious when anyone discusses “honour among thieves”.