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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From what period is Ned and Mary's new home?
(a) Regency.
(b) Georgian.
(c) Edwardian.
(d) Tudor.

2. Why is the information about Bob Elwell's slow death so significant to Mary?
(a) She is devastated about how much suffering her husband caused.
(b) She realizes that the timing lines up with the sightings of the ghost.
(c) She realizes that Ned lied when he told her that everything was resolved.
(d) She cannot help being glad that the man who made her husband suffer also suffered.

3. Why are Ned and Mary so interested in living in an isolated location?
(a) They want to avoid questions about their money.
(b) They are very introverted.
(c) They are afraid of the crime associated with larger populations.
(d) They want peace and quiet to enjoy their new hobbies.

4. When Mary is waiting in the library at the beginning of the story, where is Ned?
(a) Working in his office.
(b) In town on an errand.
(c) Taking a walk.
(d) Finishing his lunch.

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) Somehow, all of the lamps have been blown out at once.
(c) Ned's face has changed and he looks completely himself again.
(d) Trimmle has been standing in the doorway, eavesdropping.

6. When Mary and Ned see the man coming toward the hosue in October, what does Mary assume?
(a) It is one of their workmen.
(b) It is their cousin Hugo.
(c) It is a friend of Timmle's.
(d) It is the ghost.

7. Why does the narrator say that Ned and Mary are "two romantic Americans" (83)?
(a) Because neither one has any common sense.
(b) Because they are not being practical about their search for a house.
(c) Because they tell Alida a far-fetched story about their previous home.
(d) Because they are clearly deeply in love.

8. In section "III," when Mary looks at the house from across the property, what does she feel about the house?
(a) That it seems to be laughing at her, somehow, almost mockingly.
(b) That it seems to be trying to communicate something urgent to her.
(c) That is is like an evil creature squatting in the landcape.
(d) That it is like a kindly older person that keeps secrets for the good of others.

9. What is the only descriptive detail that the maid is able to give Mary about the stranger's appearance?
(a) He had an unusual hat.
(b) He was not very tall.
(c) He walked with a limp.
(d) He wore foreign clothing.

10. When Ned speeds off to talk with the mysterious visitor on that day in October, why does it take Mary so long to follow?
(a) She is dizzy and has to move carefully.
(b) She is too frightened of the ghost to move, at first.
(c) Ned tells her not to follow him.
(d) One of the heels of her shoes has come loose.

11. Where is Mary and Ned's house located?
(a) Kent.
(b) Devon.
(c) Shropshire.
(d) Dorsetshire.

12. What does Mary conclude she needs to do in order to see the ghost?
(a) Get to know the house better.
(b) Find out whose ghost it is supposed to be.
(c) Stop actively looking for it.
(d) Make a habit of speaking out loud to the ghost.

13. When Mary discards her first two ideas about what is bothering Ned, she comes to a conclusion that upsets her. What is it?
(a) Ned is keeping a secret from her.
(b) Ned is having an affair.
(c) Ned is probably ill.
(d) Ned is angry at her.

14. What does Mary learn about the Blue Star Mine deal from her visitor in section "V"?
(a) It was not nearly as lucrative a deal as Ned pretended.
(b) Ned cheated Bob Elwell in order to make more money from it.
(c) Ned's actions caused the mine to go bankrupt.
(d) Ned committed a crime in order to make the deal.

15. On page 84, the reader learns about the "prodigious windfall" that Ned and Mary experienced. Where did this "prodigious windfall" come from?
(a) Ned's engineering job.
(b) The Waukesha Sentinel.
(c) The Blue Star Mine.
(d) The death of their cousin Hugo.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. After Mary thinks more about the house and its ghost, what does she begin to wonder?

4. When Mary, startled by the envelope's contents, cries out and rises to her feet, how does Ned react?

5. In Mary's mind, what is the only possible source of information about what has happened to Ned?

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