1. After Mary thinks more about the house and its ghost, what does she begin to wonder?
(a) Whether she might actually already know the identity of the ghost.
(b) Whether Ned has seen the ghost and this is the cause of his strange mood.
(c) Whether it is possible that Alida lied to them about the ghost.
(d) Whether her household servants have ever seen the ghost.

2. When Ned is still gone by the time Mary finishes lunch, where does she decide he must be?
(a) She decides that he has finally left her.
(b) She decides that he must have gone into town to run an errand.
(c) She decides that he must have walked the visitor back to the train station.
(d) She decides that he must have gone for his afternoon walk a little early.

3. When Mary thinks back on the October visit from the mysterious man, she thinks that it "had no mark of the portentous" (86). What does this mean she felt about the visit at the time that it happened?
(a) It did not seem as confusing at the time as it would later become.
(b) It did not seem to have any significant meaning for the future.
(c) It was an obvious breach of etiquette.
(d) It was clearly unlucky.

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 the mysterious stranger has come back to the house at any point.
(b) He asks if she knows how long "afterward" it is when people realize they have seen the ghost.
(c) He asks if Mary remembers seeing the ghost in October.
(d) He asks if she ever wonders exactly how he made the money they used to buy the house.

5. On that evening in the library in section "II," what does Mary see has happened when she looks up from preparing the tea?
(a) Ned is staring in horror out the library window.
(b) Ned's face has changed and he looks completely himself again.
(c) Somehow, all of the lamps have been blown out at once.
(d) Trimmle has been standing in the doorway, eavesdropping.

Short Answer Questions

1. When section "III" opens, Mary is spending the morning working outdoors. She goes into the area where the "espaliered" pear trees are (89). What kind of pear trees are these?

2. Why is Mary unsure what Ned has or has not already told her about Beb Elwell?

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

4. When the story opens, in which room of her house is Mary waiting?

5. What does Mary learn from the contents of the envelope?

(see the answer key)

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