Sunday, November 22, 2015

295 Quiz Answer


The novel is “Great Expectations,” by Charles Dickens.  Pip, a poor orphan boy, experiences something amazing: an eccentric woman named Miss Havisham arranges to have his education and other expenses all paid for secretly.  Pip vows to be eternally grateful – until he learns that it was actually someone else, not Miss H., who had put up the money.

(Also for Three Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "T" is for "trust fund")

The following scenelet should remind you of a novel by an illustrious, world-famous author.  Name the novel.

“I realize I’ve said this before, but I promise to pay you back.  It’s just gonna take a little longer.”

“A little longer!  You’re already two months overdue!  When I loaned you that three hundred bucks you said I’d have it back in a month.”

“But look at the situation I’m in.  I’ve got to study like crazy or I won’t graduate, and my job only pays a lousy ten bucks an hour.”

“In other words, it's habitual; you never intended to pay me back."

“Well, actually, I guess that’s right.  I feel bad about it.  Tell you what, let me suggest this.  Isn’t there something you need to do – some chore or other - and you hate to do it?  You could turn it over to me and I’ll handle it for you.  I could pay you back that way.”

“Looks like I’ll never see any actual cash.  But wait a minute.  There is something…  I think you might be able to handle it.  You’ve heard of Miss Trent?”

“Miss Trent?  Sure, everyone in town knows about her.  Wait a minute; what are you getting me into here?”

“Relax; it’s nothing dangerous.  I owe her bigtime so I visit her on a regular basis.  However, I’m sort of tired of having to do it so often, so you do it.  Won’t be hard; all you have to do is visit an old lady for me and chat with her in a nice gentlemanly way.”

“But Miss Trent?  From what I’ve heard she’s, well, weird.”

“No question, Miss Trent is an unusual character but that isn’t important.  All you have to do is tell her I don’t feel well this week so I’m sending my best friend to visit for me.”

“I don’t know about this.  Why do you have to visit her anyway?”

“Well, long story short, way back when I was a kid things were tough financially.  Miss Trent did something that was like a miracle.  In total secrecy she created a special trust fund that paid for my education and just about everything else.”

“That’s kind of amazing.  Around town she has a jumbled reputation as a skinflint.  Anyway, I guess I could handle the visit okay.”

“Good.  Remember, that act of generosity was a secret and it’s still a secret.  So don’t mention that while you’re talking with her.”

“If it was such a secret, how could you be sure she’s the one who put up the money?”

(The answer will be posted Saturday)



27 comments:

Kathe W. said...

once again I am stumped! I'll ponder a bit longer....meanwhile cheers and have a lovely Thanksgiving!

Gail said...

I am horrible at these. Then when the answer is revealed, I think, I should have known that!

Thanks for visiting. Not my best, The Black-Billed Magpie. I did like Don't Hide The Madness, another prompt I did today...more me and not forced. I should learn not to post the forced ones.

Have a very blessed week.

brudberg said...

Miss Trent reminds me a little of Miss Havisham, and the suspected funding matches "Great Expectations", However Pip was totally orphaned, so I think I'm a little off mark with this... look forward to the answer.

Berowne said...


Congrats to brudberg, first with the correct answer.


The Blog of Bee said...

I have to think about this. I hope it doesn't keep me awake.

The Blog of Bee said...

The only Miss Trent I can think of is a character in "The Old Curiosity Shop"??

naturgesetz said...

I could guess at the author, but I'd have to cheat and look up his/her novels to find the right one.

naturgesetz said...

Without looking anything up, I'll guess "Great Expectations."

Deepa said...

I love your stories a lot

kaykuala said...

What the Dickens, perhaps The Old Curiosity Shop.

Hank

Lesley said...

It's Dostoievsky but I can't remember which one. Perhaps "The Idiot"?

Berowne said...

Naturgesetz, in spite of what he has posted here, has also submitted the right answer.

Wayne said...

Stumped as usual...nicely done sir

Unknown said...

since i'm not reading books for years anymore... i wouldn't know but i do like your quiz-blogging style ...although i hardly ever can come up with the right (or wrond) answer ;-)

Have a nice abc-day / -week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫

Trubes said...

First attempt Great expectations by Dickens ? Bur rather vague..

Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.

Berowne said...

Trubes, as she has done before, has provided us with the correct answer.

Roger Owen Green said...

hmmmmm.....

ROG, ABCW

Trubes said...

Dickens I know dear B but you nearly had me stumped with your puzzles

All the best

Di xx

Hildred said...

Don't know the answer but will be back on Saturday to find out, Berowne.

Powell River Books said...

Too tough to try. - Margy

The Blog of Bee said...

I am still not sure but will try Great Expectations.

Amber said...

I enjoy reading these very much and look forward to the answer so I can hunt down the story haha. Are the names used changed to throw off the scent or are the names as they appear in the story?

mindlovemisery

Berowne said...

Another right answer, this time from the Blog of Bee.

Berowne said...

Amber said: "...are the names as they appear in the story?" No, the names are made up for the weekly quiz.

Sheilagh Lee said...

no idea

SilverGardenia said...

I'm guessing Great Expectations.

Berowne said...

Welcome to SilverGardenia, who showed up at the last minute with the correct answer. Congrats, Sil.

 
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