CHAPTER I--PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE 

The winter had been an open one. Things in the trade were slack; and as Soames had reflected before making up his mind, it had been a good time for building. The shell of the house at Robin Hill was thus completed by the end of April. 

Now that there was something to be seen for his money, he had been coming down once, twice, even three times a week, and would mouse about among the debris for hours, careful never to soil his clothes, moving silently through the unfinished brickwork of doorways, or circling round the columns in the central court. 

And he would stand before them for minutes' together, as though peering into the real quality of their substance. 

On April 30 he had an appointment with Bosinney to go over the accounts, and five minutes before the proper time he entered the tent which the architect had pitched for himself close to the old oak tree. 

The accounts were already prepared on a folding table, and with a nod Soames sat down to study them. It was some time before he raised his head. 

"I can't make them out," he said at last; "they come to nearly seven hundred more than they ought." 

After a glance at Bosinney's face he went on quickly: 

"If you only make a firm stand against these builder chaps you'll get them down. They stick you with everything if you don't look sharp.... Take ten per cent. off all round. I shan't mind it's coming out a hundred or so over the mark!"  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What is the name of the person who felt it was a good time for building?
2. Which person felt it was a good time for building?
3. 
Q2:
1. At what date was the house shell done by?
2. At what period was the house shell done by?
3. 
Q3:
1. How can the area trade be qualified?
2. How can the area trade be described?
3. 
Q4:
1. What does Soames go to at least once a week?
2. Where does Soames go to at least once a week?
3. 
Q5:
1. What does Soames go around?
2. What is circled around by Soames?
3. 
Q6:
1. How long a time what Soames visits?
2. What amount of time would Soames pass at the house?
3. 
Q7:
1. What person did Soames have to meet on the 30th?
2. What is the name of the person did Soames have to meet on the 30th?
3. 
Q8:
1. On the 30th of what month was the meeting with Bosinney?
2. At what date was the meeting with Bosinney?
3. 
Q9:
1. What were Soames and Bosinney meeting to do?
2. What was about to be done by Soames and Bosinney?
3. 
Q10:
1. Where was the tent set?
2. Where had the tent be placed?
3. 
Q11:
1. What person set up the tent?
2. Who was it that set up the tent?
3. 
Q12:
1. What amount of time did Soames have to wait for account preparation?
2. How long a time did Soames have to wait for account preparation?
3. 
Q13:
1. Were the docs reviewed fast?
2. Were the docs quick to evaluate?
3. 
Q14:
1. How much additional money had to be paid?
2. How much extra money had to be put in?
3. 
