The fourth chapter in 'Footprints without Feet' textbook is 'A Question of Trust'.
This story is about a thief, Horace Danby who was a good citizen.
He was an unmarried fifty-year-old man who used to work as a locksmith.
He was a successful businessman too and had two helpers to assist him.
Although he was a respectable man, he was not completely honest.
He had a liking for rare and fancy books and would purchase them by any means.
To pursue his expensive hobby, he would rob a safe once every year and purchased the expensive books covertly through an agent.
He would chalk out a well-devised plan before making any burglary attempt.
This time he had his eyes on a house at Shotover Grange and he carefully studied its rooms, electric wiring, its paths and the garden for two weeks.
This chapter tries to convey that we should not trust anyone blindly without finding out the truth about that person.
Students can view and download the chapter from the link given below.
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NCERT Solutions for Chapter 4: A Question of Trust
Also Check
Chapter 1: A Triumph of Surgery
Chapter 2: The Thief's Story
Chapter 3: The Midnight Visitor
Chapter 5: Footprints without Feet
Chapter 6: The Making of a Scientist
Chapter 7: The Necklace
Chapter 8: The Hack Driver
Chapter 9: Bholi
Chapter 10: The Book that saved the Earth
Check out Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Chapter 4: A Question of Trust
What did Horace Danby hear from the doorway?
Horace Danby heard a voice from the doorway. It was the voice of a lady. As Horace Danby has sneezed loudly, therefore the lady asked what it was and he replied that it was due to hay fever.
Was Horace Danby a typical thief?
Horace Danby was not a typical thief. He made locks and was successful in his business. He loved rare and expensive books. To purchase these books he used to rob only one safe every year.
Why did Horace Danby feel sure of his success in that year’s robbery?
Horace Danby felt sure of his success in that year’s robbery as he had been studying room, paths and gardens of the house at Shot over Grange for two weeks. He knew that the family was in London and two servants who lived in the house had gone to watch a movie that afternoon.
Why was it not difficult for Horace to open the safe?
It was not difficult for Horace Danby to open the safe because he had lived with locks and safes all his life. The burglar alarm was poorly built. He cut the wire without any difficulty.
What does the author tell us about Horace Danby’s life?
Horace Danby was unmarried and fifty year old and lived with a housekeeper who bothered about his health. He had hay fever. He made locks and was successful in his business. He was good and respectable but not honest.
