Q: An old problem is getting new attention in the United States--bullying. Recent cases included the tragic case of a 15-year-old girl whose family moved from Ireland. She hanged herself in Massachusetts following months of bullying. Her parents criticized her school for failing to protect her. Officials have brought criminal charges against several teenagers.

Judy Kuczynski is president of an anti-bullying group called Bully Police USA. Her daughter Tina was also the victim of severe bullying starting in middle school in the state of Minnesota. She said,"Our daughter was a very outgoing child. She was involved in all kinds of things and had lots of friends. And over a period of time her grades fell completely. She started having health issues. She couldn't sleep. She wasn't eating. She had terrible stomach pains and didn't want to go to school."

Bullying is defined as negative behavior repeated over time against the same person. It can involve physical violence, or it can be verbal--for example, insults or threats. Spreading lies about someone or excluding a person from a group is known as social or relational bullying.

And now there is cyber-bullying, which uses the Internet, e-mail or text messages. It has easy appeal for the bully because it does not involve face-to-face contact and it can be done at any time.

The first serious research studies into bullying were done in Norway in the late 1970s. The latest government study in the United States was released last year. It found that about one-third of students age twelve to eighteen were bullied at school.

Susan Swearer is a psychologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-director of the Bullying Research Network. She says schools should treat bullying as a mental health problem to get bullies and victims the help they need. She says bullying is connected to depression, anxiety and anti-social behavior and bullies are often victims themselves.

Answer the following questions:
1. what is bullying connected to?
2. and what else?
3. according to who?
4. who is she?
5. how many students are bullied?
6. of what age?
7. what is bullying defined as?
8. where was the girl who died from?
9. where was the family from?
10. who else is mentioned as a victim?
11. when did her bullying start?
12. where was the first research?
13. when?
14. is it an old problem?
15. when was US study released?
16. what does cyber-bullying include?
17. who is Tina's mom?
18. is she involved in any groups?
19. which one?
20. what is that?
21. was anyone charged for the girl in Mass.?
A: 1. depression
2. anxiety and anti-social behavior
3. Susan Swearer
4. a psychologist
5. one-third
6. twelve to eighteen
7. negative behavior
8. Massachusetts
9. Ireland
10. Tina
11. middle school
12. Norway
13. late 1970s
14. yes
15. last year
16. Internet, e-mail or text messages
17. Judy Kuczynski
18. yes
19. Bully Police USA
20. anti-bullying group
21. yes
Q: CHAPTER III.

THE END OF THE BALL.

THE priest's long journey did not appear to have fatigued him. He was as cheerful and as polite as ever--and so paternally attentive to Stella that it was quite impossible for her to pass him with a formal bow.

"I have come all the way from Devonshire," he said. "The train has been behind time as usual, and I am one of the late arrivals in consequence. I miss some familiar faces at this delightful party. Mr. Romayne, for instance. Perhaps he is not one of the guests?"

"Oh, yes."

"Has he gone away?"

"Not that I know of."

The tone of her replies warned Father Benwell to let Romayne be. He tried another name.

"And Arthur Penrose?" he inquired next.

"I think Mr. Penrose has left us."

As she answered she looked toward Lady Loring. The hostess was the center of a circle of ladies and gentlemen. Before she was at liberty, Father Benwell might take his departure. Stella resolved to make the attempt for herself which she had asked Lady Loring to make for her. It was better to try, and to be defeated, than not to try at all.

"I asked Mr. Penrose what part of Devonshire you were visiting," she resumed, assuming her more gracious manner. "I know something myself of the north coast, especially the neighborhood of Clovelly."

Not the faintest change passed over the priest's face; his fatherly smile had never been in a better state of preservation.

Answer the following questions:
1. Was anyone still with full vigor?
2. Who was it?
3. Why the author thought he would be tired?
4. Was he amiable?
5. Who was nearby?
6. Did she greet him?
7. What she did?
8. Where he was coming from?
9. What mode of tranportaion he took?
10. Was the train delayed?
11. Was he looking for someone specifically?
12. Did he ask for any other person?
13. Who was that person?
14. Were he there?
15. Who was the hostess?
16. Did anyone ask about anyone's whereabout?
17. Was the person touring some place?
18. Did the priest show any emotions?
19. Where all these were happeneing?
20. What happened to Mr. Romayne anyway?
A: 1. yes
2. the priest
3. he had a long journey
4. yes
5. Stella
6. yes
7. unknown
8. Devonshire
9. The train
10. yes
11. Mr. Romayne
12. yes
13. Arthur Penrose
14. no
15. Lady Loring
16. yes
17. unknown
18. no
19. unknown
20. unknown
Q: CHAPTER XIII.

HAL SHOWS HIS METTLE.

Hal understood perfectly well that a crisis had come. Hardwick had him by the throat, and unless he acceded to the book-keeper's demand he would be in immediate danger of being choked to death.

"Let--let go of me," he gasped.

"Not until you do as I say," replied Hardwick. "I want you to understand that you can't get the best of me."

Hal tried to push Hardwick away, but the book-keeper made a pass at him with the heavy ruler.

"Keep quiet, if you value your head!" roared Hardwick.

"Let me go!"

"Not until you have told me what you mean by your doings."

"What doings?"

"Your doings up to Mrs. Ricket's."

"Who told you about what happened up there?"

"Never mind; I know all about it."

"Then Ferris saw you last night."

"No, he didn't."

"Or this morning."

"Shut up. You implicated me."

"Did Dick Ferris say I did?" asked Hal.

"Never mind who said so. I want to know what you mean by such work?"

Hal did not reply. He was trying to think. What was Ferris' object in telling Hardwick he had been mentioned in connection with the matter?

Clearly there could be but one reason. Ferris knew Hardwick already disliked Hal, and he wished to put the book-keeper against the youth, so as to get Hal into more difficulties.

"Do you hear me?" demanded Hardwick, giving Hal an extra squeeze on the throat.

"I do," gulped Hal. "Let--go--of me."

"Not until you have answered."

Answer the following questions:
1. What was Hardwick's occupation?
2. What was Hardwick holding?
3. What else?
4. Was he fighting back?
5. In what way?
6. Why was he being attacked?
7. Did something where?
8. Who told Hardwick about this?
9. Why?
10. Why did he want to do that?
11. Why was Hal stalling?
12. Did he answer Hardwick's questions?
A:
1. book-keeper
2. a heavy ruler
3. Hal's throat
4. yes
5. he tried to push Hardwick away
6. Hardwick thought he did something
7. at Mrs. Ricket's."
8. Possibly Ferris
9. to put the book-keeper against Hal
10. so that Hal had problems
11. He was thinking
12. not yet