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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: "Afterward".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is Mary unsure what Ned has or has not already told her about Beb Elwell?
(a) Because Ned has a habit of lying about what he has or has not told her.
(b) Because the Bob Elwell story is very similar to another incident in their past.
(c) Because ever since they moved into the house, her memory is getting weaker.
(d) Because she does not pay much attention when he talks about work.

2. Ned asks Alida a question about the ghost's "signalement" (84). What is he asking about?
(a) Its movements and habits.
(b) Its background.
(c) Its physical description.
(d) Its motivations.

3. When they are all laughing about the idea of a ghost, what does it mean that Mary "noted a certain flatness of tone in Alida's answering hilarity" (83)?
(a) Mary recognizes that Alida is probably jealous of their good fortune and is trying to hide it.
(b) Mary has only just realized that Alida is using this discussion as an opportunity to make fun of Mary and Ned.
(c) Alida is laughing along, but Mary suspects that for some reason Alida does not find the subject as funny as everyone else does.
(d) Mary suspects that Alida feels embarrassed because she is lying about the ghost.

4. When Ned begins to read the newspaper in the library in section "II," he tries to sound casual as he asks Mary a question. What is the question?
(a) He asks if she knows how long "afterward" it is when people realize they have seen the ghost.
(b) He asks if she ever wonders exactly how he made the money they used to buy the house.
(c) He asks if the mysterious stranger has come back to the house at any point.
(d) He asks if Mary remembers seeing the ghost in October.

5. In section "II," what question does Mary repeatedly ask Ned that evening in the library?
(a) She asks him what secret he is keeping from her.
(b) She asks whether it was a good idea to move into this particular house.
(c) She asks whether he has given up trying to see the ghost.
(d) She asks whether he is having an affair.

Short Answer Questions

1. On page 95, Mary mentions the "fun of the frisson." What is a frisson?

2. What aspect of the house does Alida mention that finally convinces Ned and Mary that it is as old as they are hoping?

3. When Mary discards her first two ideas about what is bothering Ned, she comes to a conclusion that upsets her. What is it?

4. What is the only descriptive detail that the maid is able to give Mary about the stranger's appearance?

5. On page 84, the narrator links isolated environments to "acuities of emotion." What are "acuities of emotion"?

(see the answer key)

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