A Shady Plot
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| A Shady Plot: By Elsie Brown image credits: openclipart |
Q1: Why did Helen and other ghosts like her organize 'The Writer's Inspiration Bureau'?
Answer: Helen had herself been an author. She was familiar with the thrills and travels of being one. She felt empathetic towards author who suffered a lean period. She organized 'The Writer's Inspiration Bureau'. The main task of this organisation was to scout around until a writer without ideas was found. It was the job of the bureau to provide inspiration and ideas for such writers.
Q2: How did Helen often help Hallock before she first met him?
Answer: Helen had always helped Hallock to write stories. Though this was not acknowledged by him. All the stories inspired by her had been liked by the readers.
Q3: At one point Hallock calls Helen that horrible scarecrow. Why?
Answer: Helen appeared to be a horrible scarecrow to Hallock because of her ugly appearance. She was long and angular with enormous fishy eyes. She wore bone-rimmed spectacles. She had a long eagle-nose which made her look like a scarecrow. Hallock didnot like to even think that Helen had touched him when she told him that she had leaned on his shoulder.
Q4: Why did Hallock think his wife would be shocked to see Helen touching him?
Answer: Lavinia was a conservative wife who would never appreciate another women coming near her husband. In this case, the woman was as horrible as a scarecrow- an apparition which was quite
obnoxious. Hallock dreaded any contact with his wife and the apparition.
