Available Answers

1. 1.

   Thus, they talked about half-forgotten incidents, forgetting about matters of greater importance, and often it would get very late.

   1. Whom does 'they' refer to? what would they talk about?
   2. What happened when it got very late?
   3. What does 'forgetting about matters of greater importance' mean here?
2. 2.

   'Oh, if only some kindred soul were near --- just one loving human being who I could hold near my heart,...'

   1. Who is the speaker?
   2. What do you think caused these feelings?
   3. Who do you think could be a 'kindred soul? who did the speaker call when he felt this way? Why?
3. 3.

   It got late, but he never called out for her.  Slowly, she entered the room, and found him stretched out on the bed.

   1. Why was Ratan waiting outside for the call?
   2. why do you think he never called out for her?
   3. How did she respond when he called out to her? What does this tell you about her nature?
4. 4.

   Relieved from her nursing duties, Ratan once again took up her old place outside the door, but now, she no longer heard the familiar call.

   1. Who was Ratan nursing and why?
   2. How had the illness affected her patient? What did he do as a result of it?
   3. Why was Ratan no longer called? What had happened?
5. 5.

   Ratan asked no further questions.

   1. Who did Ratan not question further and why?
   2. Did Ratan get an explanation?
   3. How did this affect Ratan?
6. 6.

   'Dada, will you take me home with you?'

   1. What led Ratan to ask this question?
   2. What response did she get?
   3. Having heard the reply, how did she feel?