Uneasy homecoming

Question 1

1. Who is the protagonist of the story?

Answer 1

Connie

Protagonist: the leading character or one of the major characters in a play, film, novel, etc.

Question 2

2. Briefly outline the plot of the story.

Answer 2

Connie arrives home alone at sunset.
She has an inexplicable feeling of uneasiness.
She fails to notice obvious signs of forced entry.
She phones Mrs Winston and learns about a string of robberies that took place in her
absence.
Her feeling of unease increases.
She discovers stolen goods stashed under her bed.
Too late she switches off the lights.
She becomes aware of an intruder.
She escapes the house and sets the motor-bike alight.
The intruder is revealed to be Charlie.

Question 3

3. Where was the “discovery” made?

Answer 3

In Connie’s bedroom.

Question 4

4. Refer to the paragraph beginning: “The refrigerator cut off …” and
   ends “of her discovery!”
   a) Why does the protagonist find herself in this situation?
   b) Why did she never notice something unusual before?

Answer 4

a.She has switched on the lights, found the loot and switched the
lights off again, letting “Them” know that she knows what they did.

b.She was blinded by fear.

Question 5

5. Mention three things she could have noticed before her

“discovery”.

Answer 5

The back door, the motorcycle and the pantry window.

Question 6

6. In detail describe how she solves her dilemma.

Answer 6

Connie sets the motorcycle on fire, hoping to attract attention
and to scare the burglar away.