Answer the following questions.

(a) "It is honest, but it is more than honesty"- What does the sentence imply?

(b) What characteristics of Jerry impressed the authoress? Why?

(c) "It is bedded on courage but it is more than brave," Explain it.

(d) "Things no training can teach." Why did the authoress say it?

(e) What does the authoress mean by 'granite of his character'?

(a) The sentence implies the uprightness and purity of Jerry's character. One day at the time of chopping wood, the axe handle broke. The axe handle broke due to its defect, and naturally. the author was to pay for its repair. But Jerry refused to take money for the job saying that the axe handle broke due to his carelessness in chopping wood. Moreover, Jerry did for her the unnecessary things, the gracious things that are done only by the great of heart: Being impressed by these kinds of activities and the great mentality of Jerry, the author described him with this sentence.

(b) Jerry's honesty, careful activities, courage, the greatness of heart, independent attitude, instinctive courtesy, etc. 'impressed the authoress. Jerry's honesty is revealed in the event of his refusal to take money for the repairment of the axe. At the time of chopping wood, the axe handle broke due to its own defect. But Jerry refused to take money for the repairment of the axe putting up his own carelessness for the axe handle's getting broken. The authoress employed Jerry only to chop wood, but he did for her the unnecessary things, the gracious things that are done by great-hearted people only. He was instinctively courteous because he got silent on being given candy and apples as token of gratefulness for his thoughtful activities. All these extraordinary characteristics of Jerry impressed the authoress greatly.

(c) Through this sentence, the author wants to represent the nature of Jerry's integrity. Jerry was an orphan but he was characteristically honest and courageous. In the process of carrying out his daily activities, he used to work carefully. But if he failed, he took the responsibility without any subterfuge. At the time of chopping wood, the axe handle broke. The author wanted to pay the money for repairing the axe handle but he refused to take the money putting up his carelessness as the cause of the axe handle getting broken. In that case he did not resort to any excuse. Thus his integrity is bedded on courage but it is more than brave.

(d) The authoress said it to put up the extraordinary benevolent aspect of Jerry's character. The authoress employed him only to chop wood for her. But he did for her the unnecessary, gracious things which are done only by the great of heart. Putting kindling and 'medium' wood in the cubbyhole beside the fireplace, steadying a loose stone in the rough walk to the cabin, etc. are some examples of such benevolent activities. And no training or external urge can induce one to do these sorts of activities. These are done instantly being motivated by noble urge or mentality.

(e) By the phrase 'granite of his character' the authoress wants to mean the courageous aspect of Jerry's character. Jerry showed the strength of his moral character through his activities. He did for the authoress the unnecessary, gracious things which were done only by the great of heart. When as token of gratefulness for his thoughtful activities the authoress gave him some gift, he became wordless. He only looked at the gift and the authoress. Then the real picture of his character got exposed. Looking into the clear well of his eyes, she could see gratitude and affection, soft over the firm granite of his character.