Charles Dickens is often thought of as one of the greatest British writers. February 7 marked the 200th anniversary of his birthday. Yet for many, his language is old-fashioned and his stories often improbable. So why do so many people know and read Dickens today?

One reason is the British government's insistence that every child studies a Dickens novel at school. Alongside William Shakespeare, Dickens is on every English literature school reading list.

His stories, though often long by today's standards, are great moral tales. They are filled with colorful characters.

Earlier this month, a ceremony was held in Portsmouth, where Dickens was born. Prince Charles said at the ceremony, "Dickens used his creative genius to campaign passionately for social justice... His characterization is as fresh today as on the day it was written."

His books stand out from many other writers because of his insight into human nature. Dickens, like Shakespeare, tells us truths about human behavior. They are as true in the 21st century as they were to his readers in the 19th century.

Readers have returned to Dickens' books again and again over the years to see what he has to say about their own times.

No surprise then that it was Dickens whom Britons turned to during the economic crisis in the last couple of years. Dickens helped them make sense of a world that was rapidly falling apart. The BBC adapted one of his less well-known novels, Little Dorrit, into a popular television drama that introduced many Brits to the novel for the first time. A dark story about greed and money, it was the perfect illustration of bad times.

As long as Dickens's novels have something to say to modern audiences, it seems likely that he will remain one of Britain's best-loved writers. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. who is the story about?
2. was he alive 300 years ago?
3. Was his birth in the month that follows January?
4. on what day?
5. where was he born?
6. what happened there recently?
7. did anyone prominent attend?
8. who?
9. was one of his works mentioned?
10. which one?
11. does it have an upbeat plot?
12. what is it about?
13. has it recently been reinterpreted?
14. by who?
15. in what medium?
16. was it a dark comedy?
17. what was it?
18. where is the Dickens from?
Answer: 1. Charles Dickens
2. No
3. Yes
4. the 7th
5. Portsmouth
6. a ceremony was held
7. Yes
8. Prince Charles
9. Yes
10. Little Dorrit
11. No
12. greed and money
13. Yes
14. The BBC
15. television
16. No
17. a drama
18. England

CHAPTER XXIII

IN WHICH THE SUPERCARGO IS CORNERED

From one street corner Dave and Roger hurried to another, looking in every direction for some sign of Captain Marshall. This hunt they kept up for the best part of half an hour, but without success.

"He is certainly nowhere in this vicinity," said the senator's son. "I wonder where he can be keeping himself."

They walked on more slowly, and at the entrance to a lane came to another halt. Then, chancing to look into the lane, Dave uttered a short cry:

"There he is!"

Coming along the lane was Captain Marshall. His step was an uncertain one, and he pitched from side to side. As the two boys ran forward, the master of the _Stormy Petrel_ gave a lurch and landed on some old boxes with a crash.

"Oh, Dave, can this be possible!" murmured Roger. "I did not think the captain would do it."

"Let us help him to the ship," answered Dave. He was as much shocked as his companion, and he could not help but think of what the supercargo had said.

"Oh, is it you, boys?" mumbled the captain, as he espied them. "I want to--to get back to the ship."

"We'll help you," said Dave.

"I've had an awful night--my mind is in a perfect whirl," went on the master of the _Stormy Petrel_.

"We'll soon have you safe on the bark," put in Roger.

The two assisted the captain to his feet. His eyes had a peculiar stare in them. Suddenly he clapped his hand to his pocket. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. How many people were running about looking for someone?
2. What were their names?
3. Who were they looking for?
4. How long did they search?
5. Who spotted him first?
6. Where was the Captain?
7. Was he walking steadily?
8. What did he fall on?
9. Did he recognize the boys?
10. Where did he want to go?
11. Where did they decide to take him?
12. What was the ship's name?
13. How did the Captain describe his state of mind?
14. Were the boys surprised at this state?
Answer: 1. two
2. Dave and Roger
3. Captain Marshall
4. for the best part of half an hour
5. Dave
6. Coming along the lane
7. no
8. some old boxes
9. yes
10. back to the ship
11. on the bark
12. the Stormy Petrel
13. in a perfect whirl
14. yes

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

BETH'S SECRET

When Jo came home that spring, she had been struck with the change in Beth. No one spoke of it or seemed aware of it, for it had come too gradually to startle those who saw her daily, but to eyes sharpened by absence, it was very plain and a heavy weight fell on Jo's heart as she saw her sister's face. It was no paler and but littler thinner than in the autumn, yet there was a strange, transparent look about it, as if the mortal was being slowly refined away, and the immortal shining through the frail flesh with an indescribably pathetic beauty. Jo saw and felt it, but said nothing at the time, and soon the first impression lost much of its power, for Beth seemed happy, no one appeared to doubt that she was better, and presently in other cares Jo for a time forgot her fear.

But when Laurie was gone, and peace prevailed again, the vague anxiety returned and haunted her. She had confessed her sins and been forgiven, but when she showed her savings and proposed a mountain trip, Beth had thanked her heartily, but begged not to go so far away from home. Another little visit to the seashore would suit her better, and as Grandma could not be prevailed upon to leave the babies, Jo took Beth down to the quiet place, where she could live much in the open air, and let the fresh sea breezes blow a little color into her pale cheeks. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. When did someone's fears return?
2. Who admitted their sins?
3. Where did someone want to go on a vacation?
4. Who pleaded not to go to the mountains?
5. Would the grandmother leave the infants?
6. Who looked very different?
7. To whom?
8. Did everyone think so?
9. What made Jo notice it?
10. Had she gotten heavier?
11. Did Jo talk about it?
12. Did the initial feeling stick around?
13. How did Beth's mood seem?
14. Did people think she was getting worse?
15. When did things become peaceful again?
16. What complexion did Jo have?
Answer:
1. spring
2. Laurie
3. seashore
4. Beth
5. no
6. Beth
7. Jo
8. No
9. absence
10. no
11. no
12. no
13. happy
14. no
15. when Laurie was gone
16. pale