The Collector
1. In what way was the Collector’s image “anonymous”? He was just another
man not different to the rest of the world whose identity will remain unknown.
2. Apart from the Collector’s physical appearance and condition, what else
was “amiss”? The shooting sound coming from the compound.
3. How had Miriam come to drop her pearls? The string of her necklace broke.
4. Why might the ladies have looked rather strange wearing jewellery?
Because they were in the middle of a war and they were wearing worn-out
clothes.
5. What does “that” refer to? It refers to touching Miriam.
6. What did the Collector think caused him to behave towards Miriam as he
did? He was seeking affection.
7. How did he think she would feel about the incident? He thought she wouldn’t
be bothered by it because she’s a rational woman.
8. Explain the phrase “attracted by the oil-lamp”. That the light emitted by the
oil-lamp signaled that there were people in there.
9. Explain fully the phrase “they re-emerged smiling sheepishly”. That they got
out from where they were hiding smiling timidly because they were embarrassed
for being afraid and hiding.
10. What action of the Collector’s demonstrated his “sangfroid”? The fact that
he didn’t hide under the table when the musket balls came through the window
and instead remained seated.
11. What precisely did the officers fail to notice, and why was it lucky they did
so? That the Collector was shaking with fear. It was lucky because they didn’t
notice how afraid he was and because of that they remained calm.
12. What prevented the Collector from sleeping soundly that night? His
nightmares and Mrs Scott’s screams.
13. Who or what was the “poor mite”? The newborn Mrs Scott just gave birth to.
14. Describe the Collector’s physical condition and appearance. The Collector
looks tired and disheveled.