Complete Solutions and Summary of A Question of Trust - NCERT Class 10, Footprints without Feet, Chapter 4 - Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions...

Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 4 'A Question of Trust' with all question answers, extra questions, and solutions from NCERT Class X, Footprints without Feet.

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Introduction

'A Question of Trust' by Victor Canning is a fascinating story about Horace Danby, a respectable man with a secret: he is a thief who steals once a year to finance his love for rare books. However, his meticulous planning goes awry when he encounters a clever woman who deceives him into robbing a house on her behalf. The story explores the themes of trust, deception, and the thin line between honesty and dishonesty.

Summary in English (200 words):

'A Question of Trust' follows Horace Danby, a man in his fifties who appears to be honest and respectable but secretly steals once a year to finance his love for rare books. He carefully plans his burglaries and always ensures not to leave any evidence. This time, he targets a house at Shotover Grange. However, things take an unexpected turn when he is caught in the act by a woman who claims to be the lady of the house. She convinces Horace to open the safe for her, claiming she needs the jewels for a party. Believing her, Horace agrees, only to be later arrested when his fingerprints are found. To his surprise, the real lady of the house denies ever meeting him, revealing that the woman he helped was a thief who outwitted him. The story illustrates how trust can be easily manipulated and the consequences of dishonesty.

Summary in Hindi (200 words):

'A Question of Trust' विक्टर कैनिंग द्वारा लिखी गई एक कहानी है जो होरेस डैनबी के बारे में है, जो एक ईमानदार और सम्मानित व्यक्ति प्रतीत होता है, लेकिन एक रहस्य रखता है कि वह हर साल एक बार चोरी करता है ताकि वह दुर्लभ किताबें खरीद सके। वह बहुत सावधानी से चोरी की योजना बनाता है और इस बार शोटओवर ग्रेंज नामक एक घर को निशाना बनाता है। हालांकि, जब वह चोरी कर रहा होता है, तो एक महिला उसे पकड़ लेती है जो खुद को घर की मालकिन बताती है। वह होरेस से कहती है कि उसे एक पार्टी के लिए गहने चाहिए और उसे तिजोरी खोलने के लिए मना लेती है। लेकिन बाद में होरेस को गिरफ्तार कर लिया जाता है जब उसके फिंगरप्रिंट घर में पाए जाते हैं। असल में, वह महिला एक चोर थी जिसने होरेस को चकमा दिया था। यह कहानी धोखे और विश्वासघात की कहानी है।

Think about it - Page 25

1. Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how?

Yes, there are subtle hints that suggest the lady is not who she claims to be. The moment she easily convinces Horace to open the safe without hesitation raises suspicion. Additionally, her calm demeanor and quick thinking, especially when she offers to let Horace go in exchange for opening the safe, seem unusual for someone in her position. The real turning point is when she asks Horace to open the safe without knowing the combination herself, which is strange for the actual owner of the house.

2. What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?

The lady uses several subtle tactics to deceive Horace. She speaks confidently and behaves as if she is completely in control of the situation, which disarms Horace’s suspicions. Her familiarity with the house and the dog, her calm and composed demeanor, and the way she casually mentions her husband and the jewels make her story convincing. Horace doesn’t suspect anything because he is caught off guard by her confidence and charm, and because he’s preoccupied with avoiding being caught.

3. “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorised as a typical thief?

This description is apt because, on the surface, Horace Danby leads a respectable life as a successful lock-maker and is well-regarded in society. However, his love for rare books leads him to steal once a year to fund his passion, which shows that he is not completely honest. Unlike a typical thief, Horace doesn’t steal out of necessity or greed but to satisfy his personal hobby. He is meticulous and thoughtful, but still dishonest in his actions, which makes him a complex character rather than a typical criminal.

4. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?

Horace’s downfall was his overconfidence and his trust in the woman who posed as the lady of the house. He was careful in planning every aspect of the robbery, but he didn’t anticipate the possibility of being tricked by someone else. His failure to wear gloves while opening the safe, due to his desire to impress the woman, led to his arrest. His mistake was letting his guard down and trusting the wrong person, which led to his undoing.

Talk about it - Page 25

1. Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what he got?

While Horace Danby was tricked by the woman, he still committed a crime by attempting to steal the jewels. His intention to use the money for a personal hobby doesn’t justify his actions, so he deserved the punishment he received. However, the fact that he was manipulated into opening the safe by someone more deceitful than himself does add a layer of unfairness to his situation. Ultimately, his dishonesty led to his downfall.

2. Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something wrong if you thought your ends justified the means? Do you think that there are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honestly?

Intentions do not always justify actions. While Horace may have believed that stealing once a year to buy books was harmless, it was still an illegal act. In general, doing something wrong, even with good intentions, can have consequences. There may be situations, such as saving someone’s life, where bending the rules could be excused, but in most cases, dishonesty leads to complications and moral dilemmas. In Horace’s case, his actions were not justifiable because they were driven by personal desire rather than necessity or a greater good.

About the Author

Victor Canning was an English author known for his adventure and crime novels. His works often revolved around intricate plots, moral dilemmas, and unexpected twists. 'A Question of Trust' is one such story that highlights his knack for creating suspenseful and engaging narratives. Canning’s characters are often caught between right and wrong, much like Horace Danby in this story.

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