Hearts and Hands Questions and Answers ICSE Class 9 and Class 10

Extract Based Questions

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1 : Describe the opening scene of the story.

Answer : The opening scene of the story presents the scene of a railway carriage. There is a crowd of passengers into the coaches in the eastbound B and M Express. In once coach, a very pretty young woman dressed in elegant taste and surrounded by all the luxurious comfort is sitting on a seat. The two new passengers enter, one of them with handsome and bold looks, the other with heavy structure and dressed roughly. They were handcuffed together and seated themselves on the vacant seat just opposite to the elegant lady.

Question 2 : Describe the young girl. How is she dressed?

Answer : The young girl is Miss Fairchild who is pretty and elegantly dressed. She has a lovely smile and pink cheeks. She is one of the main characters of the story. She is already sitting in the compartment where the story takes place.

Question 3 : Who are the two new passengers that enter the train?

Answer : The two new passengers are two young men who enter the train. One is a handsome man and the other one seems to be heavily built and well mannered. The handsome man’s name is Mr Easton while the name of the other man is not known but he is the real marshal who is taking Mr Easton to the prison.

Question 4 : Why are the passengers called the ‘linked couple’?

Answer : They are called linked couple because they are handcuffed together. After seeing them, it is very clear that one of them must be a criminal and the other a policeman. As both of them are handcuffed they have to walk to sit together.

Question 5 : How does the young woman initiate a chat with Mr Easton? What is her tone?

Answer : The young lady initiates a chat with Mr Easton by addressing him by his name and then by asking him, if he does not ever recognise his old friends when they meet in the West. She speaks in a very friendly manner. Her way of talking compliments her western attire. Thus, she becomes successful to draw the attention of the young man who is looking quite handsome.

Question 1 : Why does Mr Easton feel embarassed?

Answer : After being recognised as an old acquaintance by the pretty woman the young man feels happy but soon his happiness turns into embarrassment as he is handcuffed with other man, a situation when one does not want to be recognised by a beautiful woman like her.

Question 2 : Why does he tell Miss Fairhchild “I will ask you to excuse the other hand”?

Answer : He tells Miss Fairchild to excuse the other hand because it is tied by the hand of the other man, who is sitting next to him hence cannot reach to her hands. He is politely referring to one of his hands being handcuffed with his parents hand.

Question 3 : Why does the glad look in young woman’s eyes change to a bewildered horror?

Answer : Young woman notices that her old friend is handcuffed to the man seated beside him. When he greets her, he raises his right hand down and the wrist tied by the handcuff to the left one of his companion. When she sees this, the glad look in her eyes changes to bewildered horror.

Question 4 : How does the other man save Mr Easton from embarrasment? What does he tell the girl?

Answer : The old man comes forward with an explanation and says that Easton is a Marshal and the two are headed for prison. This suddenly changes the mood of the situation and saves both of two from embarrassment.

Question 5 : What effect does his remark have on the young woman?

Answer : When the other man tells the young woman, that Mr Easton is a Marshal and that they are headed for a prison, his remark relieves the young woman of her horror because her acquaintance is not a convict rather he is a Marshal , a job one should be proud of . Hence she feels a bit proud rather than feeling embarrassed.

Question 1 : What does the other man present himself as ?

Answer : Seeing the expression of Miss Fairchild who was looking uncomfortable having spotted the handcuff around Mr Easton’s wrist, the other man presents himself as a convict in front of the young lady in order to save Easton from embarrassment so that she cannot doubt Mr Easton’s marshalship.

Question 2 : What all does the other man tell Mrs Fairchild?

Answer : The other man tells Miss Fairchild that she seems to be an acquaintance of Mr Easton who is the Marshal. If she wants Mr Easton to speak a word for him she will have to give him a pen so that Mr Easton may write whatever he wishes to say. Mr Easton is taking the other man to Lavenworth prison for seven year’s imprisonment.

Question 3 : What reason is given by Mr Easton for not going to Washington?

Answer : Mr Easton tells Miss Farichild that in order to live in Washington, a lot of money in required. He sees the opportunities in the West pretty well. Moreover, the job of a Marshal is not worth the respect there. Hence, he chooses not to go Washington.

Question 4 : Why does the other man tell that Mr Easton is taking him to the prison?

Answer : In order to prove Miss Farichild that Mr Easton is a Marshal and he himself as a convict, he tells her that he is taking him to the prison. This statement convinced her and she becomes happy and talks to Mr Easton without any inhibition.

Question 5 : How does the young women react to the remark of the glum-faced man?

Answer : The young woman is fully convinced that Mr Easton is a Marshal and is doing his duty because no man on the Earth would like to call himself a convict in front of the pretty woman like her nor does convict dare to call himself a Marshal in front of a real Marshal.

Question 1 : Describe Miss Fairchild and Mr. Easton.

Answer : Miss Fairchild is an attractive young woman with a lovely smile who is accustomed to speak and being heard. She is also an experienced traveller.
Mr. Easton is a young man with a handsome presence and a bold, frank expression on his face.

Question 2 : Where does the above conversation occur? Why was Mr. Easton embarrassed when Miss Fairchild addressed him?

Answer : The above conversation occurred in a coach is a train. Mr. Easton was embarrassed when Miss Fairchild addressed him because he was found handcuffed by Miss Fairchild who had previously known him as a gentleman.

Question 3 : How was Mr. Easton’s other hand ‘otherwise engaged’? How does Miss Fairchild react when he raises his right hand to show her what he meant?

Answer : Mr. Eaton’s other hand was ‘otherwise engaged’ because it was handcuffed with a fiat, glum-faced man seated beside him.

When he raises his right hand to show her what he meant, the glad look in the eyes of Miss Fairchild slowly changed to a bewildered horror. The glow faded from her cheeks and her lips parted in a vague look of relaxing distress.

Question 4 : How does Miss Fairchild feel about Mr. Easton? How does she try to convey these feelings to him?

Answer : Miss Fairchild was attracted to Mr. Easton and wanted to have a romantic relationship with him.

She tries to convey her feelings by saying that she loves the West and wants to live there when Mr. Easton mentions that he had settled down in the West.

Question 5 : The story has a surprise ending. How is the surprise revealed to the reader?

Answer : The surprise ending is revealed to the reader in the end when a passenger in the train remarks that he had never seen an officer handcuff a prisoner to his right hand. Usually a prisoner’s right hand is handcuffed to the left hand of an officer/marshall. By this the reader gets to know that Mr. Easton was the criminal as his right hand was handcuffed and the old and grumpy man was the real marshal.

Question 1 : What does Mr Easton tell his friend to confirm that he is the Marshall?

Answer : Mr Easton is quick in lying. He tells her that his butterfly days were over in Washington. Literally, it meant that he would be spending time (7 years) in Leavenworth prison but he presented  the situation in another way by telling his friend that he could not Give in Washington as he has to find ways to earn money for survival.

Question 2 : What is the girl’s opinion about the West? Why does she love the place?

Answer : The girl seems to be fascinated by the West. Perhaps she has been living in the West and is quite used to the western way of life. It is seen by her attire. She has adopted herself to this life and even enjoys it so she says that she loves the West where she can live her life the way she wants.

Question 3 : Why does she speak simply to Mr Easton?

Answer : Mr Easton is an old acquaintance of hers so she is not hesitating in talking with him. As the conversation progresses, she becomes more casual and starts talking simply without concerning about her style and speaking manner. She considered him as her friend.

Question 4 : Where did she go  and why?

Answer : Miss Fairchild has spent last summer in Denver her native place where her parents reside. She went there because her father was ill and there was no one who could look after him. She loves the climate of the West and she does not give much preference to earning money by going away from the West.

Question 5 : Why does she call people stupid? Who are the people she is referring?

Answer : When Mr Easton tells her that in the West one has to earn enough money to keep up with the status, she calls the people of the West stupid as they give more attention to money than the people. In this way she suggests that she is not among the people who hanker after money leaving their relatives and friends behind.

Question 1 : Why does the glum-faced man call Mr. Easton Marshal? What does he do so?

Answer : The glum-faced man has been calling Mr Easton as the Marshall because he had presented him as Marshal before the young lady who was quite embarrassed to see Easton in handcuffs.

So, to assure her, he was addressing him Marshal. The real Marshal did everything to save Mr Easton from embarrassment of his friend coming to know that he was an offender.

Question 2 : What remark is made by the passenger seated nearby?

Answer : The two passengers who are sitting on the other seat, have heard the conversation among the three. When Mr Easton and the other man have left the compartment, one of them exclaims that Mr Easton is too young to be a Marshal. He is seeing first time a Marshal as young as Mr Easton.

Question 3 : What does the other passenger exclaim?

Answer : The other passenger exclaims “Did you even known an officer to handcuff the prisoner to his right hand?” He further adds that Mr Easton is not a Marshal infact he is the counterfeiter, a truth that surprises everybody. The passenger could make out who the real offender was.

Question 4 : What excuse does Mr Easton make to say goodbye to the young girl? Where does he go?

Answer : The glum-faced man asks Mr Easton to accompany him to the smoker room to smoke. So, Mr Easton tells the young lady that he is going to the smoker room to smoke so that she cannot suspect anything amiss. He did so to prevent Mr Easton from revealing to Miss Fairchild that he is a convict.

Question 5 : What effect does the remark of other passenger have on the young lady?

Answer : The other passengers remarks that he is not the Marshal but a counterfeit deepens the mystery and points out the irony. After listening this, young lady is confused and heartbroken. She feels that she has been made fool by the two men. It leaves her in sheer disappointment.

Short Questions

Question 1 : Which part of the story do you find the most amusing in the lesson ‘Hearts and Hands’.

Answer : The part where the real Marshal pretends to be the prisoner and Mr Easton has been described as Marshal is very amusing. So many people know that it takes years of rough and sturdy work before one becomes a Marshall. But the ease with which the real Marshal lies is really amusing as Miss Farichild completely believes what he was saying. Another part when Mr Marshal as asks Mr Easton to take him to smokeroom is very amusing as the real reason of going to somekroom was that Mr Easton may not speak any truth infront of Miss Fairchild.

Question 2: How does the glum-faced man save Mr Easton from embarrassment? What does it show?

Answer : When Miss Fairchild sees that sees that her old friend Mr Easton is handcuffed then Mr Easton feel embarrassed. The glum-faced man has been watching Miss Fairchild’s face. Therefore in order to save Mr Easton from embarrassment he comes forward with a explanation and says that Easton is a Marshal and the two are headed for Leavenworth prison. He wants to lighten the mood of both Miss Fairchild as well as of Mr Easton.

Question 3 : What do the other passengers sitting nearby say about the Marshal? What is the affect of it?

Answer : Two passengers seated nearby have listened to all the conversation. One of them remarks that Mr Easton seems to be too young to be Marshal. The other remarks that he is not the Marshal, he was a counterfeiter. He says, “Did you know an officer to handcuff a prisoner to his right hand?” This unexpected remark deepens the mystery and points out the irony. Listening to this Miss Fairchild must have got disappointed and unhappy.

Question 4 : What is the significance of the words ‘Hearts and Hands’ in the story? How is it related to the story?

Answer : The title of the story ‘Hearts and Hands’ is suitable and suggestive. The story revolves around a young girl who is emotionally attached to her old friend. She meets her old friend in a railway carriage, but is surprised to see that he is handcuffed to the man seated beside him. She gets hurt and becomes tense. To ease her tension, the man with her friend gives an explanation that Mr Easton is the Marshal and the two are headed for Leavenworth prison. Miss Fairchild is relieved of the tension.

Long Questions

Question 1 : Give the short summary of the story.

Answer : The author presents an identical situation in the story ‘Hearts and Hands’. The comments made by the two passengers at the end of the story make is more interesting. The initial start of the story is set in a train to Denver. An elegantly dressed woman named Miss Fairchild is seated on the train when two men arrive and take the seat facing her.

The Lady knows the Handsome Man : It quickly becomes apparent that the woman knows one of them as she started talking to him but on discovering that he is handcuffed to the man seated beside him she feels embarrassed. As Mr Easton greets the young woman he slightly raises his right hand bound and the rest of the shining handcuffs to the left of his companion.

Role of Other Man : The man with Easton senses the embarrassment and gives an explanation that Easton is the Marshal and the two are headed for Leavenworth prison. The young lady continues to stare at the handcuffs. To ease her concern, the other man tells her that all Marshal handcuff themselves to their prisoners to keep them from getting away.

Conversation Between two Passengers : Two passengers seated nearby have listened to all the conversation and one of them remarks that young Easton seems to be too young to be a Marshal. The other one exclaimed that he is not the Marshal, but is the counterfeiter. He says “Did you ever know an officer to handcuff a prisoner to his right hand?” This unexpected remark deepens the mystery and points out the irony.

Question 2 : Give a character sketch of the real Marshal.

Answer : The other man, the real Marshal plays a significant role in the story.

Physique and Nature of Other Marshal Man : He is a ruffled, glum-faced person. He is heavily built and roughly dressed, but is very kind and helpful. He is a very kindhearted person and therefore extends a helping hand to his companion. He is handcuffed with Mr Easton . Both are going to Leavenworth prison in a train.

Encounter with Miss Fairchild : They enter the train and seat themselves in front of an elegantly dressed woman named Miss Fairchild. Mr Easton and Miss Fairchild engage themselves in conversation because they know each other. Miss Fairchild is surprised to see Mr Easton in handcuffs. She become embarrassed and stares at him.

Observant and Intelligent : The other man is observant and intelligent and he observes that both of them are feeling awkward. So, he comes to the rescue and to ease the concern of Miss Fairchild he comes out with an explanation that Mr Easton is a Marshal and is taking him to Leavenworth prison.

Sympathetic and Witty : He is sympathetic and helpful and saves the unpleasant and uncomfortable situation . He is witty too. He knows if they continue talking, Miss Fairchild may some how know the truth making the situation very awkward. So, to deter such situation he cunningly takes Mr Easton to smoker room.

Question 3 : The main interest of the story ‘Hearts and Hands’ lies in the story’s irony at the end. Elucidate.

Answer : The story depicts a brief episode in a train to Denver. It involves three main characters and two minor characters. A young and pretty lady with the name of Miss Fairchild is seated in the train when two men arrive and take the seat facing her. She started conversing with one of them who is her friend but becomes baffled and surprised on seeing him in handcuffs. Mr Easton also feels embarrassed. The other man who himself is the Marshal comes to the rescue and gives an explanation that Mr Easton is the Marshal and is taking him to Leavenworth prison.

About the elements : The story presents an ironical situation with the surprise end. The unexpected revelation about Mr Easton surprises the young lady. The story is narrated in a simple language and the episode begins and ends in a straightforward manner. The remarks made by the two passengers at the end of the story are significant because they reveal the irony in the story.

Question 4 : Give the character sketch of Mr Easton.

Answer : Mr Easton  is the main character in the story. He is the real counterfeiter. He must have dome something illegal so has been caught by the police . He is travelling with the Marshal, who is taking him to Leavenworth prison. He is a tall and handsome man, who can draw anybody’s attention which we may see when the elegantly dressed Miss Fairchild herself starts talking to him though she was ignoring other men. This shows that he possesses a charming personality.

Embarrassed on his Condition : He is very embarrassed too as he finds himself in a very awkward situation when his acquaintances , a beautiful woman sees him handcuffed. He has nowhere to escape but to face the situation as it is.

A Good Actor : He is a good actor too and demonstrates his art by playing the role of a real Marshal. When the other man understanding the awkwardness of the situation , calls him the Marshal, he does not counter him instead shows himself as Marshal and tries to convince Miss Fairchild that he is a real Marshal in every way possible. He is an apt liar as the way he talks is commendable.

He does not let Miss Fairchild suspect him as long as he talks to her. He makes the statement supporting his fake identity which can be done only by an apt liar.

Possessing no Romantic Feeling : His character does not possess any romantic side as does Miss Fairchild. He pays no attention to the lady in fashionable dress and is even unfazed by her presence. This again resurfaces when he does not reply enthusiastically on being asked to meet again by the beautiful woman.

Question 5 : Write the character sketch of Miss Fairchild.

Answer :

Introduction : Miss Fairchild, an important character of this chapter was an attractive young woman who was elegantly dressed and spoke in a sweet and yet firm voice. She is a simple person but has some peculiarities.

She Believes Others Easily : When the real Marshal tells her that Easton was a Marshal and was taking him to escort up the Leavenworth prison, she believes him easily. She does not use her common sense in analysing that Easton was too young to be a Marshal. Moreover, she is unaware of the fact that a Marshal ties his left hand with the right hand of the prisoner, so we can call her gullible.

Blinded by her Feelings : Miss Fairchild is too blinded by her feelings that she could not see past them and allowed herself to be lied to . She is also a normal human being who does not and cannot always act with a gloss of style and manner. This characteristic was showed when she began to talk about the West to the two men with shining eyes and said that money is not everything. So, we can say that all traits being rich, elegant, stylish, in love and being human describe Miss Fairchild.

She is Horrified to Know the Truth : In the end when Easton and Marshal leave for smokeroom, she hears other passengers making their own remarks. She is horrified to know that Mr Easton was being handcuffed for counterfeiting. The other rough person was a Marshal in reality who he was escorting Easton to the prison.