Available Answers

1. 1.

   "A dead leaf fell in Soapy's lap. That was Jack Frost's card. Jack is kind to the regular denizens of Madison Square, and gives fair warning of his annual call, so that the inhabitants thereof may make ready."

   1. Who is Soapy? What role does he play in the story?
   2. What does the author mean by "Jack Frost's card"?
   3. Why has Jack been described as kind?
   4. What plan did Soapy make when he saw that Jack Frost had arrived?
2. 2.

   "Soapy, having decided to go to the island, at once set about accomplishing his desire."

   1. What is the island referred to in these lines? What was the name of the island?
   2. "At once set about accomplishing his desire." What does this line convey about Soapy's character?
   3. Why did Soapy decide to go to the island?
   4. How did Soapy set about accomplishing his desire?
3. 3.

   "Soapy left his bench and strolled out of the square. Up Broadway he turned, and halted at a glittering cafe. Soapy had confidence in himself from the lowest button of his vest upward."

   1. What does the author mean when he says 'Soapy had confidence in himself'?
   2. Did Soapy have any plan when he stopped at the cafe? If so, what was the plan?
   3. When Soapy halted at the cafe, did everything go according to his plan?
   4. Did Soapy's confidence in himself help at the end? What happened to him?
4. 4.

   'At a corner, electric lights and cunningly displayed wares behind plate-glass made a shop window conspicuous. Soapy took a cobblestone and dashed it through the glass.'

   1. Why did Soapy throw the stone at the plate glass window?
   2. What happened when Soapy threw the stone at the glass window?
   3. Describe Soapy's attitude when he threw the stone.
   4. Did everything go according to Soapy's plan when the stone was thrown? Give reasons in support of your answer.
5. 5.

   When did a 'sudden fear' seize Soapy? Why did he feel fearful?

6. 6.

   Where did Soapy find the silk umbrella? Why was he not arrested for stealing the umbrella?