CHAPTER XX--NO. 5 CHEYNE ROW 



Frank had brought home the Life of Carlyle, and Maude had been dipping into it in the few spare half-hours which the many duties of a young housekeeper left her. At first it struck her as dry, but from the moment that she understood that this was, among other things, an account of the inner life of a husband and a wife, she became keenly interested, and a passionate and unreasonable partisan. For Frederick and Cromwell and the other great issues her feelings were tolerant but lukewarm. But the great sex-questions of 'How did he treat her?' and of 'How did she stand it?' filled her with that eternal and personal interest with which they affect every woman. Her gentle nature seldom disliked any one, but certainly amongst those whom she liked least, the gaunt figure of the Chelsea sage began to bulk largely. One night, as Frank sat reading in front of the fire, he suddenly found his wife on her knees upon the rug, and a pair of beseeching eyes upon his face. 

'Frank, dear, I want you to make me a promise.' 

'Well, what is it?' 

'Will you grant it?' 

'How can I tell you when I have not heard it?' 

'How horrid you are, Frank! A year ago you would have promised first and asked afterwards.' 

'But I am a shrewd old married man now. Well, let me hear it.' 

'I want you to promise me that you will never be a Carlyle.'  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Who came home with Life of Carlyle?
2. Who arrived at the house with Life of Carlyle?
3. Who got back home in possession of Life of Carlyle?
Q2:
1. Who had been dipping into Life of Carlyle?
2. Who had been taking a look at Life of Carlyle?
3. Who had been perusing Life of Carlyle?
Q3:
1. What did Maude understand Life of Carlyle to be an account of?
2. What did Maude glean that Life of Carlyle was talking about?
3. What did Maude comprehend to be the subject of Life of Carlyle?
Q4:
1. What promise was made near the end of the story?
2. What was the promise at the finish of the paragraph?
3. What does Maude ask her husband to promise?
Q5:
1. Who referred to himself as a shrewd old man?
2. Who called himself a shrewd old man?
3. Who used the phrase shrewd old man to refer to himself?
Q6:
1. Did most people enjoy Maude's company?
2. Was Maude popular among others?
3. Did people find Maude pleasing?
Q7:
1. What did Frank do near the fire?
2. What was Frank's fireside activity?
3. What was Frank up to sitting by the fire?
Q8:
1. According to Maude, how would Frank have acted a year ago?
2. What does Maude say Frank would have done a year ago?
3. What would have been Frank's response a year ago in Maude's view?
Q9:
1. What were Maude's feelings for Frederick and Cromwell?
2. How did Maude feel towards Frederick and Cromwell?
3. What were Maude's estimations regarding Frederick and Cromwell?
Q10:
1. Maude was tolerant towards Frederick and Cromwell - but what?
2. What hesitation did Maude have in her tolerance towards Frederick and Cromwell?
3. What was the quality of Maude's tolerance for Frederick and Cromwell?
