Get notes, line-by-line explanation, summary, questions and answers, critical analysis, word meanings, extras, and pdf of the story The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde which is part of ICSE Class 9 English (Treasure Chest) syllabus. However, the notes should only be treated for references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
Summary
The story titled “The Model Millionaire” by Oscar Wilde revolves around the themes of appearances, generosity, and the unexpected twists of fate.
Hughie Erskine is a good-looking, charming young man who, despite his many talents, has never been successful at making money. He lives off a small allowance from an old aunt and has tried various professions, but none have been fruitful. He is in love with Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired Colonel. The Colonel has set a condition for their marriage: Hughie must have £10,000 of his own before he can marry Laura.
One day, Hughie visits his artist friend, Alan Trevor, and finds him painting a portrait of a beggar. The beggar’s miserable appearance evokes pity in Hughie. During a brief absence of Trevor, Hughie generously gives the beggar a sovereign, believing him to be in dire need.
Later, to Hughie’s astonishment, Trevor reveals that the “beggar” is none other than Baron Hausberg, one of the richest men in Europe. The Baron had commissioned Trevor to paint him as a beggar. Hughie is embarrassed and dismayed, realizing he gave a sovereign to a millionaire.
The next day, an old gentleman visits Hughie on behalf of Baron Hausberg and hands him a letter. Inside the envelope is a cheque for £10,000, a wedding gift for Hughie and Laura from the “old beggar.” The story concludes with their wedding, where the Baron gives a speech, and Alan Trevor humorously comments on the rarity of “model millionaires.”
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Evergreen workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions
(i) According to the writer romance is the privilege of the ……
Answer: b) rich
(ii) Hughie’s father has bequeathed him a History of the Peninsular War in fifteen volumes and a ……
Answer: c) a cavalry sword
(iii) Laura Merton adored Hughie but she was not prepared to disregard her………..
Answer: b) father’s wishes
(iv) Alan Trevor was not only a painter but also ……
Answer: an artist
(v) The beggar in Trevor’s studio had in one hand a stick and …… in the others.
Answer: d) a battered hat
(vi) Trevor Says, “Such beggars are not to be met with every day”. In which tone is this sentence spoken?
Answer: b) ironical
(vii) “Don’t run away, Hughie,” he said, as he went out, “I will be back in a moment.” Where had ‘he’ gone?
Answer: c) to see the frame maker
(viii) To see what money he had, Hughie felt in his pockets. What could he find?
Answer: b) a sovereign and some coppers
(ix) According to Trevor, an artist’s heart is in his ……
Answer: head
(x) When they were married who made a speech at the wedding breakfast?
Answer: b) Baron Hausberg
Comprehension Passages
Passage 1
He was as popular with men as he was with women, and he had every accomplishment except that of making money. His father had bequeathed him his cavalry sword, and a History of the Peninsular War in fifteen volumes. Hughie hung the first over his looking-glass, put the second on a shelf between Ruff’s Guide and Bailey’s Magazine, and lived on two hundred a year that an old aunt allowed him. He had tried everything. He had gone on the Stock Exchange for six months; but what was a butterfly to do among bulls and bears?
(i) Who is ‘he’ referred to in the first line? How does ‘he’ look?
Answer: ‘He’ refers to Hughie Erskine. Hughie is described as wonderfully good looking, with crisp brown hair, clear-cut profile, and attractive grey eyes. Overall, he had a very charming and appealing physical appearance.
(ii) What quality did ‘he ‘ not have?
Answer: The quality Hughie did not have was making money or being successful in business. He tried many professions but failed at all of them.
(iii) What did his father bequeath to him?
Answer: Hughie’s father bequeathed him two things – his old cavalry sword from his military service, and a very lengthy, 15 volume history book about the famous Peninsular War.
(iv) What was his only means of sustenance?
Answer: Hughie’s only means of financial sustenance was a small allowance of 200 pounds per year which was given to him by an elderly aunt. He had no other income.
(v) What is ‘ he ‘ compared with on the stock exchange?
Answer: On the stock exchange, Hughie is compared to a fragile, helpless butterfly surrounded by the much more powerful bulls and bears, who represent investors. This shows Hughie was not skilled at business.
Passage 2
To make matters worse, he was in love. The girl he loved was Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired Colonel who had lost his temper and his digestion in India, and had never found either of them again. Laura adored him, and he was ready to kiss her shoe-strings. They were the handsomest couple in London, and had not a penny piece between them. The Colonel was very fond of Hughie, but would not hear of any engagement.
(i) How did ‘he ‘ look? Describe his appearance.
Answer: Hughie is described as the most handsome couple in all of London when he stood beside his beautiful girlfriend Laura Merton. He had a very attractive and charming physical appearance.
(ii) Which two things did the colonel lose in India?
Answer: The colonel, who was Laura’s father, had lost both his temper/patience and his digestion while serving in India. The hot climate and spicy food did not agree with him.
(iii) What was the hindrance in Hughie’s engagement with Laura?
Answer: The main hindrance or obstacle preventing Hughie and Laura’s engagement was her father’s refusal to allow the marriage. He disapproved because of Hughie’s lack of money and career.
(iv) The Colonel was fond of Hughie. Still he did not allow him to marry his daughter. Why?
Answer: Despite being personally fond of Hughie and liking his personality, the colonel would not let Hughie and Laura marry solely because Hughie did not have a permanent job or income of his own. His poor financial prospects worried the colonel.
(v) Which sentence in the passage shows that ‘he’ was madly in love with Laura?
Answer: The sentence “Laura adored him, and he was ready to kiss her shoe-strings” shows how intensely and passionately in love Hughie was with Laura, willing to kiss even her shoelaces in devotion.
Passage 3
Personally he was a strange rough fellow, with a freckled face and a red ragged beard. However, when he took up the brush he was a real master, and his pictures were eagerly sought after. He had been very much attracted by Hughie at first, it must be acknowledged, entirely on account of his personal charm. The only people a painter should know,’ he used to say, ‘are people who are beautiful, people who are an artistic pleasure to look at and an intellectual repose to talk to. Men who are dandies and women who are darlings rule the world, at least they should do so.’
(i) Who is ‘ he’ referred to in the first line? How does he look?
Answer: ‘He’ refers to Alan Trevor. Alan has an unkempt appearance, with a freckled, red-bearded face that looks rough and rugged.
(ii) What tells you that ‘ he’ was a great painter?
Answer: We know Alan Trevor was a very skilled painter because his works were in high demand and eagerly sought after by art collectors, indicating he had talent.
(iii) Who are the only people a painter should know?
Answer: According to Alan, the only people worthy of a painter’s acquaintance are those who are physically beautiful, pleasing to look at, and interesting to talk to.
(iv) What is ‘ his ‘ opinion about the beautiful people?
Answer: Alan expresses the firm opinion that beautiful people are superior and they rightfully rule the world, or at the very least they should be the ones in charge.
(v) Who according to ‘ him ‘ rule the world?
Answer: In Alan’s view, fashionable and sophisticated men (dandies) and charming, elegant women (darlings) are the elite who dominate society and culture.
Passage 4
‘Well, I think the model should have a percentage,’ cried Hughie, laughing; ‘they work quite as hard as you do.’
‘Nonsense, nonsense! Why, look at the trouble of laying on the paint alone, and standing all day long at one’s easel! It’s all very well, Hughie, for you to talk, but I assure you that there are moments when Art almost attains to the dignity of manual labour. But you mustn’t chatter; I’m very busy. Smoke a cigarette, and keep quiet.’
After some time the servant came in, and told Trevor that the frame-maker wanted to speak to him.
(i) Why does Hughie feel that the model should have a percentage in the sale price of a painting?
Answer: Hughie feels that because the beggar model has to work very hard posing and holding difficult positions, he should receive a percentage of what the painting sells for, just as the artist does.
(ii) Why does Alan think that the work of an artist is more difficult than that of a model?
Answer: Alan believes painting takes much more effort than modelling because the artist has to carefully apply paint to the canvas and stay standing at the easel all day long to create the artwork.
(iii) Explain the line!
There are moments when Art almost attains the dignity of manual labour.
Answer: This line means that at times, the great effort and difficulty involved in creating art reaches such an intense level that it almost elevates artistic work to the same dignified status as hard physical labour.
(iv) Who enters the studio and what does he tell Alan?
Answer: While Alan is painting, his servant enters the studio and informs Alan that the frame-maker, the person constructing the frame for this painting, wants to speak with him.
(v) When Alan goes out what does the beggar-man do?
Answer: As soon as Alan exits the studio to speak with the frame-maker, the old beggar man who is modelling takes the opportunity to rest by sitting down on a bench behind him.
Passage 5
The old man started, and a faint smile flitted across his withered lips. Thank you, sir,’ he said, ‘thank you.’
Then Trevor arrived, and Hughie took his leave, blushing a little at what he had done. He spent the day with Laura, got a charming scolding for his extravagance, and had to walk home.
That night he strolled into the Palette Club about eleven o’clock, and found Trevor sitting by himself in the smoking-room drinking hock and seltzer.
Well, Alan, did you get the picture finished all right?’ he said, as he lit his cigarette.
(i) What happened that made the old man smile?
Answer: When Alan briefly steps out, Hughie secretly puts a gold sovereign coin into the old beggar’s hand, which makes the man smile in gratitude.
(ii) “Hughie left blushing a little at what he had done”. What had he done?
Answer: Hughie had impulsively given one of his gold sovereign coins to the beggar model, even though he could barely afford it. This act of charity made Hughie blush slightly with embarrassment.
(iii) Why did Hughie receive a charming scolding from Laura?
Answer: Laura gave Hughie a gentle, affectionate scolding because she realized he had given the last of his money to the beggar when he should have been more responsible with his limited funds.
(iv) Why did Hughie have to walk home?
Answer: With no money left after giving the sovereign to the beggar, Hughie could not afford transportation and had to walk all the way home from Laura’s house.
(v) What information did Hughie want to have from Alan?
Answer: When they met later that night, Hughie asked Alan whether he had been able to finish the painting of the beggar model that he was working on in the studio.
Passage 6
‘My dear Alan,’ cried Hughie, ‘I shall probably find him waiting for me when I go home. But of course you are only joking. Poor old wretch! I wish I could do something for him. I think it is dreadful that any one should be so miserable. I have got heaps of old clothes at home – do you think he would care for any of them? Why, his rags were falling to bits.’
‘But he looks splendid in them,’ said Trevor. wouldn’t paint him in a frock coat for anything. What you call rags I call romance. What seems poverty to you is picturesqueness to me. However, I’ll tell him of your offer.’
(i) For whom is the word ‘him’ used in the first line?
Answer: In the first line, the word “him” refers to the old beggar man who had been modeling for Alan earlier that day.
(ii) What did Hughie have at home? What did he want to do with that?
Answer: Hughie had some old extra clothes at home. He offered to give them to the beggar, thinking he needed them.
(iii) “But he looks splendid in them.” In which tone is this sentence spoken?
Answer: Alan says “But he looks splendid in them” in an amused, humorous tone, not meaning it seriously after Hughie offers the beggar his old clothes.
(iv) “I’ll tell him of your offer.” Which offer is referred to in this line?
Answer: This line refers to Alan promising to tell the beggar model about Hughie’s generous offer to give him some of his old clothes, thinking he was very poor.
(v) “What seems poverty, to you is picturesqueness to me.” What does the speaker mean by it?
Answer: This means that while Hughie sees the beggar’s ragged clothes as a sign of poverty, Alan the painter sees the rags as adding visual interest and artistic picturesque quality to the painting.
Passage 7
‘My dear boy,’ said Trevor, smiling, ‘that old beggar, as you call him, is one of the richest men in Europe. He could buy all London to-morrow without overdrawing his account. He has a house in every capital, dines off gold plate, and can prevent Russia going to war when he chooses.
‘What on earth do you mean?’ exclaimed Hughie.
What I say,’ said Trevor. The old man you saw to-day in the studio was Baron Hausberg. He is a great friend of mine, buys all my pictures and that sort of thing, and gave me a commission a month ago to paint him as a beggar. And I must say he made a magnificent figure in his rags, or perhaps I should say in my rags; they are an old suit I got in Spain.’
(i) What does Alan tell Hughie about the old beggar?
Answer: Alan reveals that contrary to appearances, the old beggar man is actually Baron Hausberg, an extremely wealthy millionaire, not a poor homeless person.
(ii) What does Alan say about the ‘old beggar’s financial position?
Answer: Alan says the man is one of the richest people in all of Europe, so wealthy that he could easily buy the entire city of London if he wanted to.
(iii) How is Baron Hausberg a friend of Alan?
Answer: Baron Hausberg is a friend and patron of Alan’s art, frequently purchasing his paintings and commissioning Alan to do portraits.
(iv) What for did Baron Hausberg give the commission to Alan?
Answer: Baron Hausberg hired Alan to paint a portrait of him posing as a poor beggar in tattered clothes, as an artistic experiment.
(v) What do you know about the rags which were worn by the ‘old beggar’?
Answer: The ripped, tattered clothes the Baron wore as a costume in the painting were not actually his, but were just an old set of paint-stained clothes Alan had gotten in Spain.
Morning Star workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions II
10. Which literary device is used in the line: “Laura adored him and he was ready to kiss her shoe strings”?
(a) Imagery
(b) Metaphor
(c) Hyperbole
(d) Irony
Answer: (c) Hyperbole
11. The theme of the story is
(a) Generosity
(b) Morality
(c) Wealth
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (d) All of the above.
12. Whose point of view is the narrator showing when he says, ‘He looked so forlorn’?
(a) Hughie’s
(b) Trevor’s
(c) The audience’s
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Hughie’s
13. Who is he” and whose rags were they in the line-“he made a magnificent figure in his rags”?
(a) Trevor, Hughie’s
(b) Baron, Trevor’s
(c) Hughie, Baron’s
(d) Baron, Baron’s
Answer: (d) Baron, Baron’s
14. According to Trevor where is an artist’s heart?
(a) In his chest
(b) In his stomach
(c) In his work
(d) In his mind
Answer: (c) In his work
Comprehension Passages II
Passage 1
Unless one is wealthy there is no use in being a charming fellow. Romance is the privilege of the rich, not the profession of the unemployed. The poor should be practical and prosaic. It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating. These are the great truths of modern life which Hughie Erskine never realised. Poor Hughie! Intellectually, we must admit, he was not of much importance. He never said a brilliant or even an ill-natured thing in his life. But then he was wonderfully good-looking, with his crisp brown hair, his clear-cut profile, and his grey eyes.
(i) What is said about wealth in the extract? Give the meaning of “The poor should be prosaic”.
Answer: The extract suggests that wealth is necessary for romance and charm. It states that romance is a privilege of the rich, not something for the unemployed. The phrase “The poor should be prosaic” means that the poor should focus on practical and realistic matters, rather than indulging in fanciful or romantic ideals.
(ii) Give two positive qualities of Hughie. What was his drawback?
Answer: Hughie was wonderfully good-looking, with crisp brown hair, a clear-cut profile, and grey eyes. He was also popular with both men and women. However, his drawback was that he lacked intellectual significance and never managed to make money.
(iii) What did his father bequeath him? What did he do with his inheritance?
Answer: Hughie’s father bequeathed him his cavalry sword and a History of the Peninsular War in fifteen volumes. Hughie hung the sword over his mirror and placed the books on a shelf but did not do anything substantial with these inheritances
(iv) How did Hughie make a living? What was his experience in the Stock Exchange and in other concerns?
Answer: Hughie lived on an allowance of two hundred pounds a year from an old aunt. He tried working on the Stock Exchange for six months but did not succeed. He also briefly worked as a tea merchant and attempted to sell dry sherry, but neither venture worked out for him.
(v) Give the meaning of the following: “Ultimately he became nothing, a delightful ineffectual young man with a perfect profile and no profession.”
Answer: This phrase means that Hughie, despite his charm and good looks, ultimately achieved nothing of significance. He remained an attractive, pleasant person but lacked any professional success or clear purpose in life.
Passage 2
To make matters worse, he was in love. The girl he loved was Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired Colonel who had lost his temper and his digestion in India, and had never found either of them again. Laura adored him, and he was ready to kiss her shoe-strings.
(i) Who is he’ referred to in the extract? What troubles he had earlier in his life?
Answer: The “he” in the extract refers to Hughie Erskine. Earlier in his life, Hughie faced several troubles, primarily financial instability. Despite being charming and popular, he lacked the ability to make money. He tried different professions, such as working on the Stock Exchange, being a tea-merchant, and selling dry sherry, but none of these ventures succeeded, leaving him with no stable income.
(i) Give the meaning of “who had lost his temper and digestion in India.” With reference to India, what theme is referred to?
Answer: This phrase refers to Laura Merton’s father, the retired Colonel. It suggests that the Colonel’s experiences in India, likely due to the stress and challenges of his military service, caused him to become irritable and suffer from health problems, particularly related to his digestion. The theme here reflects the common trope of British officers returning from colonial service in India physically and emotionally worn down by the harsh conditions and the demanding nature of their roles.
(iii) Name and explain the figure of speech used in the following “and he was ready to kiss her shoe- strings.”
Answer: The figure of speech used here is hyperbole. It is an exaggeration to emphasize how deeply Hughie loves Laura. The phrase implies that Hughie admires her so much that he would do anything for her, even perform a humble act like kissing her shoe-strings, which is used to express his devotion and adoration.
(iv) They were the handsomest couple in London’ but what was lacking in their lives? How did they obtain it?
Answer: What was lacking in their lives was financial stability. Although Hughie and Laura were in love and admired for their looks, they did not have enough money to marry. They obtained the money when Baron Hausberg, a wealthy man whom Hughie had mistakenly given money to, gifted them a cheque for £10,000 as a wedding present.
(v) What was the Colonel’s attitude towards Hughie? What does that say about Hughie? Which characteristic trait of the Colonel is reflected in his attitude towards Hughie?
Answer: The Colonel was fond of Hughie but refused to allow his daughter to marry him until Hughie had £10,000. This shows that although Hughie was well-liked, he was seen as financially irresponsible and lacking the means to support a family. The Colonel’s attitude reflects his practical and cautious nature, prioritising financial security over emotions in considering marriage for his daughter.
Passage 3
One morning, as he was on his way to Holland Park, where the Mertons lived, he dropped in to see a great friend of his, Alan Trevor. Trevor was a painter. But he was also an artist, and artists are rather rare Personally he was a strange rough fellow, with a freckled face and a red ragged beard. However, when he took up the brush he was a real master, and his pictures were eagerly sought after.
(i) Who is ‘he’ referred to in the extract? Where did he go? Why?
Answer: “He” refers to Hughie Erskine. He was on his way to Holland Park, where the Mertons lived, to visit Laura Merton, the woman he loved. Hughie was courting Laura, but her father would only allow their engagement if Hughie could provide £10,000 of his own.
(ii) Describe Alan Trevor’s appearance.
Answer: Alan Trevor is described as a strange, rough fellow with a freckled face and a ragged red beard.
(iii) What is said about Trevor as an artist? Why was he attracted by Hughie?
Answer: Trevor was a talented painter, highly sought after for his artwork. He was initially attracted to Hughie because of his good looks and charming personality, which Trevor found aesthetically pleasing as a painter. However, Trevor also came to like Hughie for his bright, buoyant spirits and generous, reckless nature.
(iv) According to Trevor whom should an artist know?
Answer: According to Trevor, the only people a painter should know are those who are both “bête and beautiful,” meaning people who are pleasing to look at and not intellectually demanding to talk to.
(v) Why did Trevor give permanent entry to Hughie to his studio? What does that show about Trevor?
Answer: Trevor gave Hughie permanent entry to his studio because he liked Hughie’s charm and personality, both for his good looks and for his bright and generous nature. This shows that Trevor was not only appreciative of beauty but also valued personal qualities like Hughie’s vivacity and generosity.
Passage 4
When Hughie came in he found Trevor putting the finishing touches to a wonderful life-size picture of a beggar-man. The beggar himself was standing on a raised platform in a corner of the studio. He was a wizened old man, with a face like wrinkled parchment, and a most piteous expression.
(i) Who was the beggar-man? Describe his appearance at the studio.
Answer: The beggar-man was actually Baron Hausberg, a wealthy man disguised as a beggar for Alan Trevor’s painting. At the studio, he appeared as a wizened old man, with a face resembling wrinkled parchment and a pitiable expression. He wore a coarse, tattered brown cloak, patched boots, and held out a battered hat for alms while leaning on a rough stick.
(ii) What was a model paid for a sitting? How much does an artist get for a picture?
Answer: A model was paid one shilling per hour for a sitting. The artist, Alan Trevor, mentioned that he would get two thousand guineas for the picture.
(iii) According to Hughie what must be paid to a model? How is that a comment on Victorian society at that time?
Answer: Hughie believed that the model should receive a percentage of what the artist earned from the picture, as they worked just as hard. This reflects Victorian society’s class divide, where manual or less esteemed work, like modeling, was undervalued and poorly compensated compared to the intellectual or artistic work of the wealthy.
(iv) What does Trevor say to imply that artist’s work is hard?
Answer: Trevor remarked that “there are moments when Art almost attains to the dignity of manual labour,” suggesting that the physical and mental effort required for painting could be just as demanding as manual work.
(v) What is profitable-manual work or intellectual work? Why?
Answer: Intellectual work, such as being an artist, was far more profitable than manual labor. This is evident from the fact that while the model was paid only a shilling per hour, Trevor would receive two thousand guineas for his painting. This reflects the societal value placed on intellectual and creative professions over physical labor during that time.
Passage 5
Don’t run away, Hughie,” he said, as he went out, I will be back in a moment. The old beggar-man took advantage of Trevor’s absence to rest for a moment on a wooden bench that was behind him. He looked so forlorn and wretched that Hughie could not help pitying him.
(i) Why did Hughie pity the beggar-man? What did he do to help him?
Answer: Hughie pitied the beggar-man because he looked forlorn and wretched, with tattered clothes and a miserable expression. To help him, Hughie gave him a sovereign, even though it meant that he would have to go without certain luxuries for a while.
(ii) Which theme prevalent in the Victorian Period is shown in the action of Hughie?
Answer: The theme of charity and social inequality is prevalent in Hughie’s action. The Victorian era was marked by significant economic disparity, and Hughie’s gesture reflects the era’s concerns about the conditions of the poor, even though the beggar was actually a wealthy man in disguise.
(iii) What was the reaction of the beggar-man while receiving alms from Hughie?
Answer: The beggar-man, who was actually Baron Hausberg, started slightly and smiled faintly when he received the sovereign. He thanked Hughie graciously, though his reaction was mild compared to the significance of the gesture.
(iv) State the impact of Hughie’s charity.
Answer: Hughie’s charity had an unexpected impact: the beggar-man, revealed to be Baron Hausberg, was moved by Hughie’s generosity. As a result, Baron Hausberg gave Hughie a cheque for £10,000 as a wedding present, solving Hughie’s financial troubles and allowing him to marry Laura.
(v) What was the reaction of Laura and Trevor on Hughie’s charity?
Answer: Laura scolded Hughie lightly for his extravagance, though she was unaware of the beggar’s true identity. Trevor, on the other hand, found the situation amusing, laughing at Hughie’s mistake and later revealing the true identity of the beggar-man.
Passage 6
‘Finished and framed, my boy!” answered Trevor; ‘and, by the bye, you have made a conquest. That old model you saw is quite devoted to you. I had to tell him all about you – who you are, where you live, what your income is, what prospects you have –
(i) What conquest did Hughie make?
Answer: Hughie made a conquest of the old beggar-man, who turned out to be Baron Hausberg. The Baron was very impressed by Hughie’s kindness.
(ii) How was the conquest made?
Answer: The conquest was made when Hughie gave a sovereign to the beggar-man, not knowing that the man was actually a wealthy baron in disguise. The Baron’s admiration for Hughie’s generosity led to this “conquest.”
(iii) What was the immediate fear of Hughie when he would go home?
Answer: Hughie’s immediate fear when he would go home was that the beggar might be waiting for him, as Trevor had told the beggar all about Hughie’s life, including his income and personal details.
(iv) Give the meaning of :
(a) “What you call rags, | call romance. What seems poverty to you is picturesqueness to me”
Answer: This statement reflects the differing perspectives between an artist and a layperson. To Hughie, the beggar’s rags symbolize poverty and misery, but to Trevor, the artist, they represent beauty and inspiration, something that adds character and depth to his art.
(b) “An artist’s heart is in his head”
Answer: This phrase means that artists are guided by their intellect and creativity rather than their emotions. It suggests that artists may appear detached or unemotional because they prioritize their vision and interpretation of the world over sentimentality.
(v) What was told to the beggar-man about Hughie? What was Hughie’s reaction on knowing that Trevor had told the beggar about Hughie and Laura?
Answer: Trevor told the beggar-man all about Hughie, including details of his life, income, and his relationship with Laura. When Hughie found out, he was embarrassed and angry, as he did not expect his private affairs to be shared with a beggar, unaware of the beggar’s true identity as a millionaire.
Passage 7
The Baron,’ said the old gentleman with a smile, has commissioned me to bring you this letter’; and he extended a sealed envelope. On the outside was written, ‘A wedding present to Hugh Erskine and Laura Merton, from an old beggar,’ and inside was a cheque for £10,000. When they were married Alan Trevor was the best man, and the Baron made a speech at the wedding breakfast. ‘Millionaire models, remarked Alan, ‘are rare enough; but, by Jove, model millionaires are rarer still!”
(i) Who was the old gentleman who brought the letter? What were the contents in the sealed envelope?
Answer: The old gentleman was a representative of Baron Hausberg, who brought a letter from the Baron. The contents of the sealed envelope included a cheque for £10,000, as a wedding present for Hugh Erskine and Laura Merton from the “old beggar.”
(ii) How did the Baron know that Hughie was in need of money? What did he do to fulfil his need?
Answer: The Baron learned about Hughie’s financial struggles from Alan Trevor, who had told him about Hughie’s personal affairs, including his need for £10,000 to marry Laura. The Baron, who was disguised as the beggar in Trevor’s studio, was moved by Hughie’s generosity in giving him a sovereign and decided to give him £10,000 as a wedding present.
(iii) What role did Trevor play in finalising Hughie’s marriage to Laura?
Answer: Trevor unknowingly played a crucial role by discussing Hughie’s financial struggles with Baron Hausberg, who later provided the money Hughie needed to marry Laura. Additionally, Trevor was Hughie’s best man at the wedding.
(iv) The story shows that the poor are generous in helping others. How did Hughie’s charity to the beggar give him rich dividends?
Answer: Hughie’s act of kindness, giving a sovereign to whom he thought was a poor beggar, led to a remarkable outcome. The beggar turned out to be the wealthy Baron Hausberg, who rewarded Hughie’s generosity by gifting him a cheque for £10,000, which allowed him to marry Laura.
(v) Explain the meaning of : “Millionaire models are rare enough, but model millionaires are rare still!
Answer: This remark by Alan Trevor highlights the rarity of wealthy people (millionaires) posing as models, such as Baron Hausberg did. However, it also suggests that it is even more uncommon to find millionaires who are as kind and generous as the Baron, who not only posed as a model but also helped Hughie with a generous gift.
Extras
Questions and Answers
Extract 1
Poor Hughie! Intellectually, we must admit, he was not of much importance. He never said a brilliant or even an ill-natured thing in his life. But then he was wonderfully good-looking, with his crisp brown hair, his clear-cut profile, and his grey eyes. He was as popular with men as he was with women and he had every accomplishment except that of making money. His father had bequeathed him his cavalry sword and a History of the Peninsular War in fifteen volumes.
(i) How is Hughie Erskine characterised in terms of personality and appearance?
Answer: Hughie is portrayed as charming and attractive, with crisp brown hair, a clear-cut profile, and grey eyes. Although he is popular with both men and women due to his good looks, he lacks intellectual brilliance and is financially unsuccessful.
(ii) What did Hughie’s father leave him, and how does this reflect on Hughie’s situation?
Answer: Hughie’s father left him a cavalry sword and a History of the Peninsular War in fifteen volumes. This inheritance is symbolic of a bygone era of honour and duty, contrasting with Hughie’s modern, somewhat aimless life without a steady income.
(iii) What does Hughie’s failure to make money imply about his character and efforts?
Answer: Despite his many attempts at various careers, such as working on the Stock Exchange and selling tea and sherry, Hughie consistently failed to make a living. This suggests that while he may be charming and likeable, he lacks practical skills and perseverance in financial matters.
(iv) How does the story portray the importance of wealth in Hughie’s life?
Answer: The story emphasizes that, for someone like Hughie, wealth is an elusive but critical factor. His charm and appearance are not enough to secure a comfortable or stable life, and his inability to accumulate wealth puts him in a vulnerable position, particularly regarding his romantic aspirations.
(v) What does Hughie’s inheritance and subsequent lifestyle say about his social standing?
Answer: Hughie’s modest inheritance and the way he lives off a small allowance from his aunt reflect his diminished social standing. While he has some remnants of his family’s past, like the sword and books, he lacks the financial means to maintain the status or independence one might expect from someone with his background.
Extract 7
‘When they were married Alan Trevor was the best man, and the Baron made a speech at the wedding breakfast. “Millionaire models,” remarked Alan, “are rare enough; but, by Jove, model millionaires are rarer still!”’
(i) What role does Alan Trevor play in Hughie’s wedding?
Answer: Alan Trevor serves as the best man at Hughie’s wedding, symbolising his close friendship with Hughie and his involvement in the chain of events leading to Hughie’s good fortune.
(ii) How does the Baron participate in Hughie’s wedding?
Answer: The Baron attends Hughie’s wedding and makes a speech during the wedding breakfast, celebrating the union and his role in helping Hughie achieve financial stability.
(iii) What is the meaning behind Trevor’s remark about ‘model millionaires’?
Answer: Trevor’s remark that ‘model millionaires are rarer still’ is a witty comment on the Baron’s generosity. It highlights the rarity of wealthy people who are not only financially successful but also charitable and kind, as the Baron has proven himself to be.
(iv) How does this ending reflect the story’s overall tone and message?
Answer: The ending reflects the story’s lighthearted and ironic tone, where generosity and kindness are rewarded in unexpected ways. It conveys the message that appearances can be deceiving, but genuine acts of kindness transcend surface-level judgments.
(v) What does the wedding signify in terms of resolution for Hughie’s character?
Answer: The wedding signifies the resolution of Hughie’s struggles, both financially and romantically. The Baron’s gift allows him to overcome the obstacle of poverty, and his marriage to Laura marks the fulfillment of his dreams.
Multiple Choice Questions III
1. What is the name of the main character in the story?
a) Hughie Erskine b) Alan Trevor c) Baron Hausberg d) Laura Merton
Answer: a) Hughie Erskine
23. How did Baron Hausberg repay Hughie’s gift of a sovereign?
a) With a gift of 10,000 pounds b) By apologizing and returning it c) By investing it and giving Hughie the profit d) By letting Hughie live in his house
Answer: a) With a gift of 10,000 pounds
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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It was Hughie who said that models deserve a percentage.It has been mentioned in mcq and fill in the blanks that alan said it.
Editor’s response
Thank you for pointing out the mistake. We’ve corrected.
Hi in mcq ans of question 9 is wrong look for it the real answer is head
Editor’s response
Thank you for pointing out the mistake. We’ve corrected.