lf entirely through dialogue, yet in a
perfectly natural way. It is almost like a play rather than a
story. If it were dramatized, how many scenes would it make?

5. What does the title mean? Does the author give us the key to its
meaning?

6. What do you think of Gertie as you read the first part of the
conversation in the restaurant? Does your opinion of her change at
the end of the story? Has her character changed?

7. Is the ending of the story artistic? Why mention the time-clock?
What had Gertie said about it?

8. State in three or four words the central idea of the story. Is
it true to life?

9. What is the meaning of these words: atavism; penumbra;
semaphore; astigmatic; insouciance; mise-en-scene; kinetic?

10. Other books of stories dealing with life in New York City are
_The Four Million_, and _The Voice of the City_, by O. Henry; _Van
Bibber and Others_, by Richard Harding Davis; _Every Soul Hath Its
Song_, by Fannie Hurst; _Doctor Rast_, by James Oppenheim.

THE RIVERMAN

1. In how many scenes is this story told? What is the connection
between them?

2. Is there anything in the first description of Dicky Darrell that
gives you a slight prejudice against him?

3. Why was the sympathy of the crowd with Jimmy Powers in the
birling match?

4. Comment on Jimmy's remark at the end of the story. Did he mean
it, or is he just trying to turn away the praise?

5. What are the characteristics of a lumberman, as seen in Jimmy
Powers?

6. Read the sketch of Stewart Edward White, and decide which one of
his books you would like to read.

FLINT AND FIRE

1. What does the title mean?

2. How does the author strike the keynote of the story in the
opening paragraph?

3. Where is the first hint of the real theme of the story?

4. Point out some of the dialect expressions. Why is dialect used?

5. What turn of surprise comes at the end of the story? Is it
probable?

6. What characteristics of New England country people are brought
out in this story? How does the author contrast them with "city
people"?

7. Does this story read as if the author knew the scenes she
describes? Read the description of Niram plowing (page 191), and
point out touches in it that could not have been written by one