When a train draws up into a railway station those who are already seated is subjected to a
hundred anxious eyes of passengers trying to board the train. Most of them are doubtful as to which
compartment they should enter. This makes them hurry, up and down, hesitate, consult among
themselves and then enter.
What reason prompted a particular man, after a lot of consideration, to choose our
compartment and us as his travelling companions? There was as much room elsewhere. The air we
were breathing was not fresher than that of a corner seat next to us. The reason for his coming toour compartment was that we may have attracted him. He seemed to have made a deliberate
selection.
I realized that he had done exactly what I would have done had I been in his place. The cause
of staying away from other compartments was clear enough babies, boys with musical instruments,
passengers with excess luggage, loud talk etc.
There are other reasons as well that inclines a man to choose our compartment and shun
another. What actually guides his hasty judgment? It depends, we may suppose, on his secret
purpose.
If it’s going to be a long journey, he looks for companions who he can invite to a game of
chance or skill. If however, he is carrying in his pocket a small folding chess board or a pack of
cards, he scans the train for signs of those who may be interested in passing their time in this
manner. On the other hand, if he is a book worm he will look for a quiet compartment, where he has
space to indulge in peaceful reading. If he loves to talk he looks for people interested in discussions.
If he likes to sleep he looks for the tolerant as he has the habit of snoring. If he loves to study nature
he looks for a window seat.
Since we are the companions, that particular man had chosen, his purpose will soon become
apparent to us
Answer the questions.
(i) Why did that man choose
the author’s compartment?
(ii) How does one who is
boarding a train view the
passengers already seated?
(iii) What do most people like
to stay away from, while
choosing a compartment?
(iv) Who does ne look for as a
companion on a long
journey?
(v) What guides a person
judgment when selecting a
seat?
(vi) Who does one look for as
companion if he loves to
talk?
(vii) What does one look for of
he is a book worm?
(viii) What does he scan the
train for, if he has a pack
of cards in his pocket?
(ix) Why do some people look
for tolerant companions?
(x) Who looks for a window
seat?
Answers
Answer:
When a train draws up into a railway station those who are already seated is subjected to a
hundred anxious eyes of passengers trying to board the train. Most of them are doubtful as to which
compartment they should enter. This makes them hurry, up and down, hesitate, consult among
themselves and then enter.
What reason prompted a particular man, after a lot of consideration, to choose our
compartment and us as his travelling companions? There was as much room elsewhere. The air we
were breathing was not fresher than that of a corner seat next to us. The reason for his coming toour compartment was that we may have attracted him. He seemed to have made a deliberate
selection.
I realized that he had done exactly what I would have done had I been in his place. The cause
of staying away from other compartments was clear enough babies, boys with musical instruments,
passengers with excess luggage, loud talk etc.
There are other reasons as well that inclines a man to choose our compartment and shun
another. What actually guides his hasty judgment? It depends, we may suppose, on his secret
purpose.
If it’s going to be a long journey, he looks for companions who he can invite to a game of
chance or skill. If however, he is carrying in his pocket a small folding chess board or a pack of
cards, he scans the train for signs of those who may be interested in passing their time in this
manner. On the other hand, if he is a book worm he will look for a quiet compartment, where he has
space to indulge in peaceful reading. If he loves to talk he looks for people interested in discussions.
If he likes to sleep he looks for the tolerant as he has the habit of snoring. If he loves to study nature
he looks for a window seat.
Since we are the companions, that particular man had chosen, his purpose will soon become