CBSE Class 9 English Literature Reader NCERT Solutions Chapter 13

1. Gaston spoke these words to Jeanne.
2. Earlier, Gaston had expressed a desire for Jeanne's parents not to stay with them. However, in this statement, he is showing apparent concern for them, indicating a change in his expressed attitude.
3. The speaker, Gaston, comes across as a selfish and hypocritical man. His feigned concern for Jeanne's parents, after initially showing reluctance for them to stay, suggests he is not genuine and is perhaps trying to manipulate the situation or appear considerate when he is not.

1. The speaker had put up her Villa for sale more than a month prior to this conversation.
2. She would have considered herself a fool if she had sold it on the day she advertised it because she might have later realized that she sold it for much less than its actual worth or potential value. This suggests a growing attachment or appreciation for the villa's value over time.
3. Her remark is ironic because she is now desperate to sell the villa at any price, even at a loss, due to financial hardship. The irony lies in the fact that she is now willing to sell it for a much lower price than she might have considered 'foolish' to sell it for earlier, highlighting her changed circumstances and desperation.

1. Jeanne asks Gaston not to joke. The 'lady' referred to is Juliette.
2. Gaston's joke was based on the principle that "people who like children and haven't any can always go and live near a school." This was likely a flippant or dismissive remark related to the situation or the villa.
3. Gaston was joking because he was not genuinely interested in buying the villa himself. He was likely making light of the situation or trying to appear nonchalant, possibly to mask his true intentions or lack of serious interest in purchasing the property from Juliette.

1. The speaker of these lines is Jeanne.
2. Jeanne is talking about Frenchmen in general, implying that they are typically slow to make decisions and consult many people before acting.
3. The nationality of the speaker, Jeanne, is implied to be French, as she is speaking to Gaston, who is also French, and making a comment about the decision-making process of Frenchmen.

1. These lines are spoken by the Maid to Madame Juliette.
2. Yes, the 'times' were indeed very difficult for Madame Juliette. She was facing severe financial difficulties and was in urgent need of money.
3. The speaker was referring to a potential acting role, specifically the part of a cook in a film. This 'engagement' was suggested as a way for Madame Juliette to earn money to alleviate her financial hardship.

1. The speaker of these lines is the Maid.
2. She is speaking to Juliette.
3. The Maid proposes that Juliette consider taking up a role in a film, specifically playing the part of a beggar who hasn't eaten for two days. This acting job offered a good payment (a thousand francs) and could help supplement Juliette's income due to her financial struggles.

1. The speaker in these lines is Juliette.
2. The speaker refers to the place (her villa) as 'wretched' because she is in dire need of money and wants to sell it as quickly as possible. No buyers had come forward for a month, increasing her desperation and making her view the property as a burden she needs to get rid of urgently.
3. The speaker indicates she would sell the place for one hundred thousand francs, even stating she would sacrifice it at any price. She notes this price is only twice what it originally cost her, implying she is willing to accept a significantly reduced price due to her financial situation.

1. The speaker here is Gaston. He is answering an implied question about the profit or outcome of a deal he was involved in, likely related to the villa or a similar transaction.
2. 'A Corot' refers to a painting by the famous French artist Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. In this context, it signifies that the deal not only yielded a substantial amount of money (one hundred thousand francs) but also included a valuable painting, possibly as part of the profit or exchange.
3. This statement reveals that the speaker, Gaston, is shrewd, opportunistic, and highly money-minded. He takes pride in making significant financial gains and acquiring valuable items, showcasing his business acumen and materialistic nature.

1. Juliette speaks these words to her maid.
2. The 'lady' here is Jeanne, who has come to see the villa. She is expected to visit because she is a potential buyer interested in the property.
3. The speaker, Juliette, is trying to pretend that she is not eagerly waiting for Jeanne. By going upstairs and instructing the maid to inform Jeanne that she will not be long, Juliette aims to give the impression that she is busy and not overly anxious for the meeting, perhaps to maintain a stronger negotiating position.

This statement reflects the speaker's growing anxiety and regret about purchasing the villa. The fact that the 'For Sale' sign has been displayed for over a month without any successful sale leads the speaker to doubt their initial decision to buy the property. They fear that they might have been foolish to make the purchase, possibly implying they overpaid or that the property is proving to be a burden rather than an asset.