Question

Q2Why does Mrs. Slater decide to shift the bureau from grandfather 's room before the arrival of the Jordans? How does Henry react to the suggestion?

Answer 1

Mrs Slater decides to shift the bureau from the grandfather's room before the arrivals of the Jordans because she does not want that they should claim it. Mr and Mrs Slater had not visited them for a long time and did not know that a new bureau had been purchased by grandfather.
Henry Slater does not like the idea of shifting it from the Oldman's room but he has no say in the matter as his wife does not listen to his suggestions.

Answer 2

Abel, the grandfather, is ‘found dead’ in the room by Mrs. Slater. She informs her sister and then starts waiting for her to come for the mourning.

At that time it strikes her that grandfather’s things will be divided between the two of them. She loves the grandfather’s bureau. So she decides to shift it to her room before the arrival of Jordans so that she can tell them that the bureau is their and not grandfather’s.

Henry was shocked at the suggestion because he felt that the sisters should cordialy divide grandfather’s things. He also felt that it was too heavy and moreover, he was worried about the arrival of the Jordan’s while they were shifting it.

That way she will be the sole owner of it.