SUP.UNIT - 10 - The Beggar ENGLISH - SUP.UNIT - 10 - The Beggar

During their conversation, Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?

Lushkoff is earning thirty-five roubles a month. How is he obliged to Sergei for this?

Sergei says, “I am happy that my ? words have taken effect.” Why does he say so? Is he right in saying this?

Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?

What reasons does he give to Sergei for his telling lies?

I am very glad, indeed.
"Thank you for your kind words and deeds. I am very grateful to you and to your cook. God bless that good and noble woman! You spoke finely then, and I shall be indebted to you to my dying day; but, strictly speaking, it was your cook, Olga, who saved me."
Question:
Q.1. How does Lushkoff feel towards Sergei and his cook?
Q.2. According to Lushkoff, who does he credit with saving him?

Thank Heaven! That's fine! I am delighted for your sake. I am very, very glad, Lushkoff. You see, you are my godson, in a sense. I gave you a push along the right path, you know. Do you remember what a roasting I gave you, eh? I nearly had you sinking into the ground at my feet that day. Thank you, old man, for not forgetting my words.
Thank you, too." said Lushkoff. "If I hadn't come to you then I might still have been calling myself a teacher or a student to this day. Yes, by flying to your protection I dragged myself out of a pit."
Question:
Q.1. How does Sergei describe his impact on Lushkoff's life?
Q.2. What does Lushkoff say he avoided by coming to Sergei?

Two years went by. Then one evening, as Sergei was standing at the ticket window of a theatre paying for his seat, he noticed a little man beside him with a coat collar of curly fur and a worn sealskin cap. This little individual timidly asked the ticket seller for a seat in the gallery and paid for it in copper coins.
"Lushkoff, is that you?" cried Sergei, recognising in the little man his former wood-chopper. "How are you? What are you doing? How is everything with you?"
"All right. I am a notary now and am paid thirty-five roubles a month."
Question:
Q.1. What did Sergei notice about the little man at the theatre ticket window?
Q.2. What was Lushkoff's occupation and salary at the time of the encounter?

Well, I am happy that my words have taken effect, he said, handing him a rouble. "Here's for your pains. I see you are sober and have no objection to work. What is your name?"
"Lushkoff."
"Well, Lushkoff, I can now offer you some other, cleaner employment. Can you write?"
"I can."
"Then take this letter to a friend of mine tomorrow and you will be given some copying to do. Work hard, don't drink, and remember what I have said to you. Goodbye!"
Pleased at having put a man on the right path, Sergei tapped Lushkoff kindly on the shoulder and even gave him his hand at parting. Lushkoff took the letter, and from that day forth came no more to the yard for work.
Question:
Q.1. What did Sergei offer Lushkoff as a new form of employment?
Q.2. How did Sergei feel about his interaction with Lushkoff?

When Sergei moved into another house he hired him to help in the packing and hauling of the furniture. This time the waif was sober, gloomy, and silent. He hardly touched the furniture, and walked behind the wagons hanging his head, not even making a pretence of appearing busy. He only shivered in the cold and became embarrassed when the carters jeered at him for his idleness, his feebleness, and his tattered, fancy overcoat. After the moving was over Sergei sent for him.
Question:
Q.1. How did the beggar behave during the furniture moving job compared to his previous work?
Q.2. How did the beggar react to the carters' comments about him?

“KIND sir, have pity; turn your attention to a poor, hungry man! For three days I have had nothing to eat; I haven’t five copecks for a lodging, I swear it before God. For eight years I was a village schoolteacher and then I lost my place through intrigues. I fell a victim to calumny. It is a year now since I have had anything to do.”
Questions:
Q.1. Who is “I” in this extract? To whom is he telling about himself?
Q.2. What was his occupation and why did he lose it?
Q.3. What does he do now?

“Sergei hurried into the dining-room. From its windows one could see the wood-shed and everything that went on in the yard. Standing at the window, Sergei saw the cook and the beggar come out into the yard by the back door and make their way across the dirty snow to the shed. Olga glared wrathfully at her companion, shoved him aside with her elbow, unlocked the shed, and angrily banged the door.”
Questions:
Q.1. Who was Olga and who was her companion?
Q.2. Find a synonym of ‘pushed’ from the given extract.
Q.3. Why did Olga unlock the shed?

“This is dishonesty, my dear sir!” he cried angrily. “This is swindling — I shall send the police for you, damn you!”
“Sir!” he said, laying his hand on his heart, “the fact is I was lying! I am neither a student nor a schoolteacher. All that was fiction. Formerly I sang in a Russian choir and was sent away for drunkenness. But what else can I do? I can’t get along without lying. No one will give me anything when I tell the truth, what can I do?”
Questions:
Q.1. Who speaks the initial lines to whom?
Q.2. Why was the first speaker angry?
Q.3. What, according to the first speaker, was ‘dishonesty’ and ‘swindling’?

“KIND sir, have pity; turn your attention to a poor, hungry man! For three days I have had nothing to eat; I haven’t five copecks for a lodging, I swear it before God. For eight years I was a village schoolteacher and then I lost my place through intrigues. I fell a victim to calumny. It is a year now since I have had anything to do.”
Questions:
Q.1. Who is “I” in this extract? To whom is he telling about himself?
Q.2. What was his occupation and why did he lose it?
Q.3. What does he do now?