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| Angel in Disguise - Evergreen Publication |
Comprehension
Passage 1
(i) The village people looked at Maggie with pity but no one wanted to take charge of her because she was a crippled child and was unable to leave her bed of her own. She was dependent on others.
(ii) The village women brought cast-off garments for Maggie. They removed her soiled and ragged clothes and dressed her in clean attire. Maggie touched many hearts by her sad eyes and patient face.
(iii) The rough man suggested that Maggie should be left in the poorhouse. It would be a good place for her. There she would be kept clean, have healthy food and would be provided with medical aid.
(iv) A few neighbours came to mourn the drunken woman's death, but none followed the dead cart as it contained the unhonoured remains of a poor woman.
(v) Jones, the farmer, placed John, the eldest son of the dead woman, in his wagon and drove away. He was satisfied that he had done his part by taking the responsibility of John.
Passage 2
(i) Joe Thompson was a kind hearted wheelwright. He said that it was a cruel thing to leave Maggie, the helpless girl in such a miserable condition. а
(ii) Joe Thompson felt pity for Maggie, the crippled child. But he did not know what to do with her. He was puzzled for a while, but then went back to Maggie's hovel out of compassion for her. He observed that she had raised herself to an upright position and was sitting on the bed. Maggie told Joe Thompson, "Don't leave men here all alone."
(iii) Though Joe Thompson was rough in exterior, he was kind-hearted from within. He liked children and loved their company. Joe Thompson assured Maggie that she would not be left alone there.
(iv) Joe Thompson treated Maggie kindly. He wrapped her in clean bed clothes and took her to his house.
(v) Mrs. Thompson, who happened to be childless, was not a woman of saintly temper. She did not believe in doing something good for other. Seeing Maggie she became very angry. His face was in flame.
Passage 3
(i) Maggie was startled to hear these words from Mrs Thompson. She shrank out of fear, against Mr Thompson.
(ii) Joe Thompson told his wife that he thought women's hearts were sometimes very hard. He placed Maggie in the little chamber of his house.
(iii) Mrs Thompson's tone was full of anger and astonishment. Her face was red with anger.
(iv) Usually Joe Thompson remained out of his wife's way. He kept silent and remained noncombative whenever she talked about some subject.
(v) Joe Thompson confronted his wife with firmness and resoluteness. He noticed that his resolute bearing had impressed his wife.
Passage 4
(i) Joe didn't admit Maggie in the poor house because he had to see the guardians of the poor house and obtain a permit before he took Maggie to the poor house.
(ii) Joe Thompson referred to the Bible in order to tell her that the Saviour rebuked those disciples who did not receive children kindly. He wanted to convey to his wife that those who loved the children and looked after them kindly would be rewarded.
(iii) Joe pleaded with his wife in an impressive tone to keep Maggie in their home for a single night. He assured her that he would admit her in the poorhouse the next morning. Also he referred to the Bible to impres upon her that the Saviour had asked his disciples to love children and treat them kindly. He turned his head away so that the moisture in his eyes might not be seen.
(iv) Joe's words had a positive impact on Jane Thompson. After hearing his words, she did not answer but a soft feeling crept into her heart.
(v) Joe told her to look at Maggie kindly and speak to her kindly, and to think of her dead mother, and the loneliness, the pain, the sorrow that must be on all her coming life. The softness of his heart brought eloquence to Joe's lips.
Passage 5
(i) Mr Thompson advised his wife to be kind towards Maggie. He asked her to think of Maggie's mother and the loneliness, the pain and the sorrow that she had to suffer in her coming life.
He felt that it would be best to leave her alone with the child because he had observed a change in her state of mind.
(ii) A light shining through the little chamber windows was the first thing that attracted Joe's attention when he returned after day's work. He was relieved when he saw Mrs Thompson sitting by Maggie's bed and talking to her.
(iii) He found a change in his wife's attitude towards Maggie. She was sitting by Maggie's bed and talking to her. He noticed that they were conversing with each other. He saw that Maggie's eyes were fixed upon his wife, and that her expression was sad and tender but he saw nothing of bitterness or pain.
Joe did not go immediately to the little chamber. He found that his wife had been busy talking to Maggie. He thought it proper not to refer to the child because he did not want to show any extraordinary concern about Maggie.
(iv) Maggie looked at Joe tenderly, gratefully, and pleadingly when he entered her little bedroom. Joe noticed that Maggie had an attractive face and it was full of childish sweetness.
(v) He asked her if her name was Maggie. She replied in the positive. While saying so, her voice struck a chord that quivered in a low strain of music.
Passage 6
(1) Maggie's back pain started that morning. It hurt her when Thompson carried her. The soft bed on which Thompson had laid her gave her relief.
(ii) Joe had noticed that his wife was talking to Maggie quite amiably. She told Thompson abruptly that they would keep Maggie for a day or two because she was very weak.
(iii) Mrs Thompson toasted a slice of bread, softened it with milk and butter and gave it to Maggie with a cup of tea.
(iv) Maggie's gratitude awoke in Mrs Thompson old human feelings which had been slumbering in her heart for ten years. Mrs Thompson told Joe that Maggie won't be so much in her way for a day or two, i.e. she was ready to keep her at her home for a day or two.
(v) Joe did not see the guardians of the poor because they had decided to keep the girl at their home. He expected that in less than a week Mrs Thompson would leave the idea of sending Maggie to the almshouse.
Passage 7
(i) Maggie brought to the home of Joe Thompson light and blessing. Before the arrival of Maggie. Joe and his wife had been leading dark, cold and miserable life.
(ii) Before Maggie came Mrs Thompson was sore, irritable, ill-tempered and self-afflicting.
(iii) Sweetness of the sick Maggie, looking at her in love, gratitude and patience had transformed her life.
(iv) Mrs Thompson's behaviour underwent a complete change. She carried Maggie in her heart as well as her arms.
(v)The angel referred to here is Maggie. She brought in the life of Joe Thompson the sunshine of love which filled all the dreary chambers with light of joy.
