Problem: CHAPTER XII

MR. LAYARD'S WOOING

The days went by with an uneventful swiftness at the Abbey, and after he had once accustomed himself to the strangeness of what was, in effect, solitude in the house with an unmarried guest of the other sex, it may be admitted, very pleasantly to Morris. At first that rather remarkable young lady, Stella, had alarmed him somewhat, so that he convinced himself that the duties of this novel hospitality would prove irksome. As a matter of fact, however, in forty-eight hours the irksomeness was all gone, to be replaced within twice that period by an atmosphere of complete understanding, which was comforting to his fearful soul.

The young lady was never in the way. Now that she had procured some suitable clothes the young lady was distinctly good looking; she was remarkably intelligent and well-read; she sang, as Stephen Layard had said, "like an angel"; she took a most enlightened interest in aerophones and their possibilities; she proved a very useful assistant in various experiments; and made one or two valuable suggestions. While Mary and the rest of them were away the place would really be dull without her, and somehow he could not be as sorry as he ought when Dr. Charters told him that old Mr. Fregelius's bones were uniting with exceeding slowness.

Such were the conclusions which one by one took shape in the mind of that ill-starred man, Morris Monk. As yet, however, let the student of his history understand, they were not tinged with the slightest "arriere-pensee." He did not guess even that such relations as already existed between Stella and himself might lead to grievous trouble; that at least they were scarcely wise in the case of a man engaged.
1. Was the younger woman an obstruction?
2. what did she have to get?
3. did they make her look ugly?
4. how did she now appear?
5. and was she stupid?
Answer: 1. no
2. suitable clothes
3. No
4. distinctly good looking
5. No

Problem: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (CNN) -- Officials are forcing the 25-year-old model who won the Dominican Republic's top beauty pageant to hand over her crown, saying she violated contest rules when she hid her marriage.

Pageant organizers claim Carlina Duran had been married since 2009 but told Miss Dominican Republic contest organizers she was single. Contestants in the pageant cannot be married or divorced, organizers said.

The runner-up in last week's Miss Dominican Republic contest, Dulcita Lieggi, will represent the Caribbean nation in the Miss Universe pageant, organizers said.

Dominicans were divided over the pageant's decision.

"If there is an established rule, and it comes out that she is married, she is violating the rule," said Rafael Concepcion.

On Duran's official Facebook page, fans lamented the move.

Dari Baez said taking away Duran's crown was unfair. "She already won it," Baez said.

Beauty queens from dozens of countries are scheduled to compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas in June.

Journalist Diulka Perez contributed to this report.

1. Where will the contest be held?
2. Where is the next contest?
3. When?
4. What is the name of the contest?
5. Who will try to win it?
6. Who was married?
7. How long?
8. What is her title?
9. How old is she?
10. What is her occupation?
11. Did she lie about her marital status?
12. Who will replace her?
13. What was Lieggi's position?
14. What will she represent?
15. Are people in agreement with the decision?
16. Who added to this story?
Answer: 1. Dominican Republic
2. Las Vegas
3. June
4. Miss Universe
5. Beauty queens from dozens of countries
6. Carlina Duran
7. Since 2009
8. Miss Dominican Republic
9. 25
10. Model
11. Yes
12. Dulcita Lieggi
13. Runner-up
14. the Caribbean nation of Dominican Republic
15. No
16. Journalist Diulka Perez

Problem: CHAPTER IX.

A RACE ON THE ICE, AND WHAT FOLLOWED.

After the events just narrated several days passed quietly enough at Putnam Hall. In the meantime the weather continued clear, and the boys took it upon themselves to clear off a part of the lake for skating. Then, one night came a strong wind, and the next morning they found a space of cleared ice nearly half a mile long.

"Now for some fine skating!" exclaimed Tom, as he rushed back to the Hall after an inspection of the lake's smooth surface. "We can have all the racing we wish."

"It's a pity Sam can't go out yet," returned Dick. Sam was back to the school, but his cold had not entirely left him.

"Never mind; here are several new magazines he can read," returned Tom, who had been to town with Snuggers on an errand and had purchased them at the stationery store.

"I would just as soon read now," said Sam. "The magazines look mighty interesting."

Just then Fred Garrison came in, accompanied by George Granbury. They had been down to Cedarville to purchase some skates and a new pair of shoes for George.

"Hullo, what do you think we saw in Cedarville!" cried Fred, as soon as he caught sight of the Rovers.

"Lots of snow," suggested Tom dryly.

"Yes--and more."

"A mighty dull town," suggested Sam.

"We saw Dan Baxter."

"What was he doing?"

"He was walking down the street. And who do you suppose was with him? Mr. Grinder!"
1. What did the boys do to the lake?
2. For what purpose?
3. What is the number of this chapter?
4. And the title?
5. Why can't Sam go skating?
6. What could Sam do instead?
7. Where had Tom gotten the magazines?
8. True of False: The top of the lake was rough.
9. Where had Fred and George been?
10. Did they buy something for George?
11. What?
12. Did they buy something for Tom?
13. How far was the ice cleared off the lake?
14. With whom had Tom gone to town?
15. True or False: Sam thought the reading material looked boring.
16. Who is the first person Fred mentioned seeing?
17. And the second?
18. Were the two mentioned seen together?
19. What were they doing?
20. Did Fred and George buy skates?
Answer:
1. They cleared off a part of it.
2. For skating.
3. IX.
4. A RACE ON THE ICE, AND WHAT FOLLOWED.
5. his cold had not entirely left him.
6. Read Tom's magazines.
7. At the stationery store.
8. False
9. To Cedarville
10. Yes.
11. a new pair of shoes
12. Unknown.
13. Nearly half a mile
14. Snuggers
15. False.
16. Dan Baxter
17. Mr. Grinder
18. Yes.
19. Walking down the street.
20. Yes.