2. Answer the following questions.
a. Why had Mother given her consent to her children to attend the party?
Millie and her brother Bob had convinced Mother that it was the first-ever grown-ups party that Millie would attend. They further told her that there would be charades, tableaus, and recitations in which Millie was to take a leading role. So, Mother had given her consent.
b. Why were Bob and Millie looking forward to the party?
Millie and Bob were looking forward to the party as it was being given by Bob’s class at the College Hall. Moreover, there would be charades, tableaus, and recitations in which Millie was to take a leading role.
c. What were Millie’s apprehensions about the party?
Millie was afraid that something might go wrong and prevent her from going to the party. She feared that the weather might be bad, the party dress might catch fire, or she might sprain her ankle. In addition to these, her aunt Mildred was ill.
d. A dread that for the moment made her feel faint took possession of Millie.
i. What had alarmed Millie?
A letter from aunt Jane alarmed Millie.
ii. What was her fear?
She feared that there would be some bad news about her aunt Mildred in the letter.
iii. Was her dread misplaced?
No. Her dread was not misplaced. It turned out that the doctors had given up hope on Mildred’s recovery.
e. What did Millie do with the letter? What were her thoughts that made her decide so?
Milled hid the letter by keeping it in her pocket. She thought that one day would not make any difference.
f. What were Millie’s first thoughts as she dressed for the party?
Millie thought of delivering the letter to her mother as she dressed for the party.
g. What made Millie change her mind?
The joyous and merry time that she would have at the party made Millie change her mind.
h. How did the mood at home change after Mother read the letter?
The mood at home changed to sorrowfulness after Mother read the letter.
i. Do you empathize with Millie’s preoccupation with attending the party? Why/Why not?
Yes. I empathize with Millie’s preoccupation. She could not miss the party and at the same time, she could not forget that she hid the letter.
j. “It seems to me she has gained something.” What had Millie gained?
Millie had gained the wisdom of coping with the realities of life. One cannot enjoy when one’s near and dear are not okay.
