30 Questions
What was Horace's initial thought when the woman mentioned calling the police?
To run away
Why did Horace suggest cutting the telephone wires?
To prevent the woman from calling the police
How did Horace try to persuade the woman to let him go?
By promising never to repeat his actions
What reason did Horace give for his thefts?
To help those in need
Why did the woman refuse to let Horace go?
She believed he would rob others
How did Horace react when the woman said society needed protection from men like him?
He smiled and explained his perspective on stealing
Who was the person speaking to Horace Danby in the story?
A young woman in a red dress
What reason did Horace give for his sneezing?
Hay fever
What valuable item was mentioned to be hidden in the painting?
A safe
Why did Horace think people are foolish when they own valuable things?
Because they attract burglars
What was the woman's demeanor upon seeing Horace Danby in the house?
Amused and casual
What did the woman suggest Horace should see a doctor for?
Hay fever
What was the main reason Horace decided to steal the jewels from the Grange safe?
To buy three interesting books coming up for sale in the autumn.
How did Horace ensure he wouldn't leave any fingerprints while entering the kitchen?
He put on a pair of gloves.
Why did Horace feel books were better than pictures to have in a small house?
Pictures took up too much space.
How did Horace manage to keep the small dog, Sherry, quiet in the kitchen?
He called the dog by its name and showed it love.
Why did Horace feel confident about opening the safe in the drawing room?
He had experience living with locks and safes all his life.
What did Horace observe about the burglar alarm in the hall that made him decide to cut its wire?
It seemed poorly built and easy to disable.
What was the condition the young lady set for letting Horace go?
Return her jewels from the safe
How did Horace help the young lady before he got arrested?
Opening the safe and giving her the jewels
Why did the young lady need Horace to open the safe?
To get her jewels for a party
What did Horace think of breaking the safe?
He suggested another way
What led to Horace's arrest?
He was caught with stolen jewels
What did the young lady confess to forgetting?
The code to open the safe
What evidence was present in the room that made it difficult for Horace to prove his innocence?
Fingerprints all over the room
Why did no one believe Horace when he claimed the wife of the house had asked him to open the safe?
The wife denied his story
What makes Horace Danby different from a typical thief according to the text?
He was not completely honest
Why did Horace get angry when people mentioned 'honour among thieves'?
He believed in honesty
What profession did Horace Danby end up in after the incident?
Assistant librarian in the prison
Why did Horace Danby fail in his meticulous planning according to the text?
He was tricked by a clever young lady
Study Notes
The Story of Horace Danby
- Horace Danby, a thief, plans to steal jewels worth £15,000 from the Grange safe to buy three rare books.
- He carefully packs his tools, avoiding fingerprints, and enters the kitchen through an open door.
- He meets a small dog, Sherry, and a woman, who claims to be the lady of the house, and is initially deceived by her.
The Lady's Deception
- The woman, dressed in red, appears friendly and kindly, but is firm and clever.
- She discovers Horace, but instead of calling the police, she offers to let him go if he opens the safe for her.
- Horace is deceived by her words and actions, believing she is the lady of the house.
The Twist
- The woman is not the lady of the house, but a fellow thief who tricks Horace into opening the safe for her.
- After Horace opens the safe, she takes the jewels and leaves, while Horace is later caught and arrested.
- Horace realizes too late that he was deceived by the woman, who was also a thief.
Horace Danby's Character
- Horace is a meticulous planner, but not completely honest.
- He steals from the rich, but not for personal gain, implying a sense of justification for his actions.
- He is caught and punished, serving time in prison, where he becomes the assistant librarian.
The Theme of Deception
- The story explores the theme of deception, with Horace being deceived by the woman's words and actions.
- The woman's deception is subtle, using her kindness and charm to manipulate Horace.
- The story highlights the consequences of being deceived and the importance of being aware of one's surroundings.
Test your knowledge on the story 'Footprints without Feet Rationalised 2023-24' with this quiz based on a passage involving Horace's encounter and the ensuing conversation. See how well you remember the characters and events in this story.
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