ᒪEᗩᖇᑎIᑎG ᒍᑌᑎᑕTIOᑎ
CBSE
CLASS 10 ENGLISH
FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET👣
CHAPTER 4: A QUESTION OF TRUST👤💰💵💴
SUMMARY
➤Summary:
Horace Danby, a middle-aged man, is a respectable member of society who leads a simple life. However, he has a secret life as a burglar. He meticulously plans and executes thefts of valuable objects from wealthy houses. He is a connoisseur of art and antiques and has an excellent knowledge of security systems. One day, while reading a newspaper, he comes across an advertisement for a valuable collection of gold and silver antiques owned by a wealthy collector named Sir James Kitson. Horace decides to steal the collection, as it is a challenge he cannot resist.
Horace rents a house near Sir James Kitson's residence to survey the security measures. He disguises himself as a clergyman and visits the house, pretending to raise funds for a charity. During the visit, Horace manages to gain Sir James Kitson's trust and even sees the valuable collection. Horace plans his theft meticulously, taking into consideration every detail.
On the decided night, Horace breaks into the house and successfully steals the entire collection. However, just as he is about to escape, he realizes that he has left his torch behind. He returns to retrieve it but accidentally wakes Sir James Kitson in the process. Faced with the unexpected situation, Horace pretends to be an inspector investigating a burglary attempt. He cleverly convinces Sir James Kitson of his innocence and helps him secure the house.
The next day, Sir James Kitson shares the story with the police, and Horace is applauded for his bravery and quick thinking. The police, unaware of Horace's true identity, commend him for his actions. Horace receives public recognition and is even awarded a monetary reward.
➤Key Points:
1. Horace Danby is a middle-aged man with a secret life as a burglar.
2. He is a connoisseur of art and antiques and plans his thefts meticulously.
3. Horace decides to steal a valuable collection from Sir James Kitson's house.
4. He gains Sir James Kitson's trust by disguising himself as a clergyman.
5. Horace successfully steals the collection but accidentally wakes Sir James Kitson.
6. He pretends to be an inspector investigating a burglary attempt to escape suspicion.
7. Horace's quick thinking and acting impress Sir James Kitson and the police.
8. He receives public recognition and a monetary reward for his "bravery."
👨Character Analysis:
1. Horace Danby: He is the protagonist of the story and a burglar with a passion for art and antiques. He is intelligent, meticulous, and skilled at deceiving others.
2. Sir James Kitson: He is a wealthy collector who owns a valuable collection of gold and silver antiques. He is initially fooled by Horace's disguise but later appreciates his quick thinking.
=❯Important Quotes:
1. "There were men, good citizens too, who would break an Eighth Commandment or so, but never for the world's jewels."
2. "He [Horace Danby] was an honest man till then."
=❯Themes:
1. Trust and deception: The story explores the theme of trust and the ease with which Horace gains Sir James Kitson's trust through his clever disguise.
2. Crime and morality: The story raises questions about the morality of Horace's actions and the line between right and wrong.
=❯Word meanings:
1. Connoisseur: A person with expert knowledge or taste in a particular field, especially art or antiques.
2. Meticulously: In a way that shows great attention to detail; very thoroughly.
3. Burglar: A person who enters a building illegally with the intent to commit a crime, usually theft.
=❯FAQ
Q1. What is the secret life of Horace Danby?
ANSWER: Horace Danby is a burglar who leads a secret life of stealing valuable objects.
Q2. How does Horace Danby plan his thefts?
ANSWER: Horace plans his thefts meticulously, taking into consideration every detail of the target location's security measures.
Q3. How does Horace gain Sir James Kitson's trust?
ANSWER: Horace disguises himself as a clergyman and visits Sir James Kitson's house, pretending to raise funds for a charity. This helps him gain Sir James Kitson's trust.
Q4. What does Horace accidentally leave behind at Sir James Kitson's house?
ANSWER: Horace accidentally leaves his torch behind while trying to escape after stealing the collection.
Q5. How does Horace convince Sir James Kitson of his innocence when he wakes up?
ANSWER: Horace pretends to be an inspector investigating a burglary attempt. He convinces Sir James Kitson that he was merely trying to secure the house.
Q6. How does the police react to Horace's actions?
ANSWER: The police are unaware of Horace's true identity and commend him for his bravery and quick thinking.
Q7. Does Horace face any consequences for his actions?
ANSWER: No, Horace receives public recognition and is even awarded a monetary reward for his "bravery."
Q8. What is the main theme of the story?
ANSWER: The main themes of the story are trust and deception, along with exploring the morality of crime.
Q9. How does the story explore the theme of trust?
ANSWER: The story shows how easily Horace gains Sir James Kitson's trust through his clever disguise and deception.
Q10. What is the significance of Horace's passion for art and antiques?
ANSWER: Horace's passion for art and antiques drives him to commit thefts, as he sees them as irresistible challenges.
⭐These FAQs should help you understand the chapter and its various aspects in more detail.
