Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Trotter: It’s true, isn’t it, that Jimmy, the child who died, managed to get a letter posted to you? (He sits at the Right end of the sofa). The letter begged for help - help from this kind young teacher. You never answered that letter.

Mollie: I couldn’t. I never got it.

Trotter: You just-didn’t bother

(i) Explain what Mollie means by, ‘I couldn’t. I never got it.’

(ii) What was Trotter's real name? How was he related to Jimmy? How did he gain entry into the Manor?

(iii) What did Trotter accuse Mollie of doing? How did he intend to punish her for it?

(iv) Who had come to England in search of Trotter? How was this person related to Trotter? What clues from their past did this person use to remind Trotter of their childhood days?

(v) Who had guessed Trotter’s identity correctly? Why was this person in the Manor? Mention two ways in which the setting of the play serves to heighten the air of mystery and suspense.

Accepted Answer

Answer

(i)

Mollie was sick (pneumonia) / She could not answer the letter/ Mollie could not help
Jimmy’s letter was put aside with others (she did not receive the letter).
She found it weeks later / by then it was too late / Jimmy had already died.

(ii)

Georgie / George
He was Jimmy’s brother
By pretending to be a Sergeant (policemen) / arrived on skis / he ran from a call box and said he was speaking from Police Headquarters.

(iii)

Of turning her back on little Jimmy / ignoring his pleas / not answering his letters / Causing Jimmy’s death
Kill her / strangle her to death

(iv)

Ms. Casewell / Kathy / Catherine
Trotter’s sister
She talked about the farm / the fat pig / the day the bull chased them across the field / the dogs Spot and Plain / the animals.

(v) Major Metcalfe OR Miss Casewell

He was a policeman on Georgie’s trail / sent to prevent murders at Monkswell Manor / two addresses were written in the notebook / Longridge farm, Monkswell Manor / police thought it was vital to have someone on the spot.

Miss Casewell - she had come to England to find her brother / she was one of the Corrigan children.

The Manor was isolated – cut off / no help at hand / tune of nursey rhyme - three blind mice / The blizzard kept them snowbound / The telephone lines were down / darkness in the room / announcement on radio about the murder.

Trotter: It’s true, isn’t it, that Jimmy, the child who died

Answer