Premise: We have been warned at the apartment building where I live not to disturb the desk clerk by asking for mail before 11:00 a.m.

Hypothesis: The clerk did not mind getting the resident their mail early.
Answer: no

Premise: Orientalism and its even more ambitious sequel Culture and Imperialism are works of passionate, almost agonized ambivalence.

Hypothesis: Orientalism was a prequel of Culture and Imperialism.
Answer: yes

Premise: But you're no mandrake-man." A load of sickness seemed to leave Hanson's mind.

Hypothesis: The person was talking as if they were a mandrake man.
Answer: it is not possible to tell

Premise: If so, then he was extremely fortunate, for he managed to land on the only large, sandy beach for hundreds of miles around.

Hypothesis: He could not be any less fortunate.
Answer: no