Reading Comprehension.
He had scarcely glanced at a couple of pages, however,, when a smothered curse caused him to glance hastily at the only other occupant of the carriage. His travelling companion was a young man of about two-and-twenty, with dark hair, fresh complexion, and the blend of smartness and disarray that marks the costume of a ‘nut’ who is bound on a rustic holiday. He was engaged in searching furiously and ineffectually for some elusive or non-existent object; from time to time he dug a sixpenny bit out of a waistcoat pocket and stared at it ruefully, then recommenced the futile searching operations. A cigarette-case, matchbox, latchkey, silver pencil case, and railway ticket were turned out on to the seat beside him, but none of these articles seemed to afford him satisfaction; he cursed again, rather louder than before. The vigorous pantomime did not draw forth any remark from Sletherby, who resumed his scrutiny of the magazine.
(a) What made Sletherby look at his fellow traveller?
(b) What, did Mr. Sletherby deduce from the looks of the young man?
(c) What was the young man doing inefficiently?
(d) What did the young man’s rueful stare at the six penny imply?
(e) Did the vigorous pantomime get the young man any help? Why?
