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.”
“She disappeared, I am sure not further than the other side of the door.” By saying this, the narrator suggests that Madame
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → only pretended to make an effort, as her offer was already decided
Madame says she will see what she can do and goes out.
- The narrator is sure she went “not further than the other side of the door”.
- She came back “immediately” with a room at her private house. She had no time to check anything.
- So the narrator feels her going out was only a show. She had already made up her mind once she heard about the long stay.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: went to fetch the old servant from her private house — Incorrect. Contradicted: She came back at once. She had no time to go to the house round the corner.
Option 3: was hiding because she felt ashamed of turning the narrator away — Incorrect. Not mentioned: Madame never shows shame. Earlier she was even laughing.
Option 4: wanted to speak to the porter where the narrator could not hear — Incorrect. Not mentioned: The passage does not say she spoke to anyone behind the door. The porter comes up only when she offers the room.