Class 10 A Question of Trust by Victor Canning
Short Questions
Q. What does Horace Danby like to collect?
Ans. Horace Danby likes to collect rare and expensive books.
Q. Why does he steal every year?
Ans. He steals once every year to get money for buying the books he loves.
Q. Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
Ans. A young woman pretending to be the lady of the house is speaking to Horace Danby.
Q. Who is the real culprit in the story?
Ans. The young woman, who tricks Horace and steals the jewels, is the real culprit.
Long Questions
Q.1. Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how?
Ans. Yes, there were hints that the lady might not be the real owner. For example, she did not call the police immediately and instead asked Horace to open the safe. A real lady of the house would not trust a thief. These signs made it clear that she was cheating him.
Q.2. What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?
Ans. The lady behaves very confidently and speaks politely. She pretends to be kind by saying she wants to protect her reputation and avoid calling the police. Horace does not suspect her because she looks elegant, talks smartly, and fits his idea of a rich lady.
Q.3. “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest.” Why is this description apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorised as a typical thief?
Ans. Horace Danby is a locksmith by profession and lives a respectable life. He is kind to his servants and loves books. But he is not completely honest, because he robs a house once every year. He is not a typical thief, as he does not steal regularly, violently, or out of greed—only to buy books.
Q.4. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?
Ans. Horace went wrong by trusting the young woman without checking her identity. He was careful while planning the robbery, but he let his guard down because of her charm and confidence. His weakness for women and overconfidence made him falter.
Value-Based Questions
Q.1. Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what he got?
Ans. Horace was not unfairly punished. Although he was tricked, he was still a thief. His dishonesty led to his downfall. It shows that crime never pays, and one day, every wrongdoer gets punished.
Q.2. Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something wrong if you thought your ends justified the means? Do you think there are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honestly?
Ans. No, intentions do not justify wrong actions. Stealing cannot be excused even if the reason seems small or noble, like Horace stealing for books. Wrong means can never lead to right ends. However, in some situations, like saving someone’s life, small dishonest acts (for example, telling a lie) may be excusable.