Read the passage and answer the questions given below it.
While I waited expectantly, Madame came in and told me that there was no room at all for me in the hotel, not a bed, not a corner. She was extremely friendly and seemed to find a fund of secret amusement in the fact; she looked at me as though expecting me to break into delighted laughter. “Tomorrow,” she said, “there may be. I am expecting a young gentleman who is suddenly taken ill to move from number eleven. He is at present at the chemist's. Perhaps you would care to see the room?”
“Not at all,” said I. “Neither shall I wish tomorrow to sleep in the bedroom of an indisposed young gentleman.” “But he will be gone,” cried Madame, laughing. “Perhaps you can recommend me another hotel?”
“Impossible!” She shook her head and turned up her eyes. “You see, it is the season in Bruges, and people do not care to let their rooms for a very short time.” Not a glance at my little suitcase lying between us, but I looked at it gloomily, and it seemed to dwindle before my desperate gaze. “My large box is at the station,” I said coldly, buttoning my gloves.
Madame started. “You have more luggage. Then you intend to make a long stay in Bruges, perhaps?” “At least a fortnight, perhaps a month.” “One moment,” said Madame. “I shall see what I can do.” She disappeared, I am sure not further than the other side of the door, for she reappeared immediately and told me I might have a room at her private house, “just round the corner and kept by an old servant who has been in our family for fifteen years. The porter will take you there, and you can have supper before you go.”
What made Madame suddenly find a room for the narrator?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → She learnt that the narrator had more luggage and meant to stay long
The narrator says, “My large box is at the station”.
- At once “Madame started”. Here started means jumped a little in surprise.
- She asks if the narrator will make a long stay. The narrator says, “At least a fortnight, perhaps a month”. A fortnight is two weeks.
- Only after this does Madame say she will see what she can do. So the news of more luggage and a long stay made her find a room.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: She felt sorry for the narrator, who had nowhere else to go — Incorrect. Wrong reason: Madame showed no pity before. She changed only when she heard about the long stay.
Option 2: The young gentleman in number eleven left earlier than expected — Incorrect. Not mentioned: Nothing is said about him leaving early.
Option 3: The narrator agreed to wait at the hotel until the next day — Incorrect. Contradicted: The narrator did not want the sick man’s room even “tomorrow”.