Gentle readers: Please note that the first number in parentheses refers to page in Great Conversations 6, the second to the numbered section of the story.
- Why does Constantia cry as she answers each letter of condolence? Why afterwards does it transpire that “Even now, though, when she said over to herself sadly, ‘we miss our dear father so much’ she could have cried if she’d wanted to.”
- Why does Constantia feel pity for the mouse (“Poor little thing...It was awful to think of it not finding anything. What would it do “)? (338,1)
- Why are mealtimes “now that the strain was over” a “trial” for the sisters. (339, 2)
- Josephine and Constantia ask Nurse Andrews to stay on another week after their father dies, even though she had “rather overdone the not leaving him till the very last.” (340, 2) Why do they quickly come to regret extending the invitation?
- Why is Kate referred to as “the enchanted princess.” Why does she serve an empty pot of jam? (339,2)
- When Farolles says to the sisters (341, 4), “These are the times when God wants us to be helpful to one another,” do you think the sisters are comforted by his words? Is the death of a family member a special time for kindness?
- The sisters decline Mr. Farolles' offer to serve them Communion at home. What do you believe is behind their refusal (341, 4)?
- Regarding the burial, why do the sisters think, “What would father say when he found out?” and “he [father] was bound to find out sooner or later?” (342,5)
- The sisters are hesitant to go through their late father's belongings. Why? What are they afraid of?
- Read the paragraph starting, “It couldn’t be helped” and ending with “the quiet seemed to shake into little pieces” (343, 6). How might they be attempting to have “deceived Kate.”
- When Constantia locks her father’s wardrobe, why is it “one of those amazingly bold things that she’d done about twice before in their lives.” (section 6)
- Why is there a flashback at the end of the section 6 about pushing Benny into the pond?
- Aside from the litany of excuses they provide, why do you think the sisters would rather give their father's watch to Cyril than Benny in Ceylon? Are they guided more by practical or by selfish motives (section 8)?
- Why are the sisters so disappointed that Cyril does not have an appetite at tea? (346,8)
- Why do the sisters press Cyril to say whether his father still likes meringues, and then report the answer to their father? What does this incident signify about the family dynamics (section 8 and 9)?
- What leads to the sisters' discussion concerning Kate's dismissal? (section 10)?
- Why does Josephine think they can’t postpone Kate’s dismissal again, if they “postpone it this time.”? Why in the end are they unable to come to a conclusion (section 11)
- Constantia focuses on "her favourite Buddha" in section 12. What does the Buddha signify? What does the Buddha know that Constantia doesn't know?
- Read the paragraph in section 12 starting “until the barrel organ stopped playing Constantia stayed before the Buddha” and ending “What did it all lead to. Now? Now?” What is the answer to her question, “What was it she was always wanting”?
- What do you think will change for the sisters now that their father is dead? What does your answer signify about their father's role in their lives?
