news of an engagement

News of an engagement

Questions about the story – work alone, answer in writing.  

1.        Was Philip close to his mother?  Why do you think so?  Give examples from the story.

2.        What important news did Philip not know how to tell his mother?

3.        Why do you think Philip was afraid his mother would be unhappy about his engagement to Agnes? (p2)

4.        What did Philip think when he saw three glasses set on the table?

5.        What was Sarah unable to tell Philip in a letter?

6.        Do you think Philip was surprised by Mr. Nixon’s news? 

7.        What did Philip realize about his mother? (p.6)

8.        What did Philip realize about himself? (p.6)

Philip was an only child who cared a lot about his mother.  He wrote to her every week but when he became engaged to Agnes, he didn’t know how to tell her.  He worried that she would be unhappy.  He thought she must be lonely.  When he visited her for Christmas he was surprised to see the table set for three.  He never imagined … (complete the summary)

Possible answers

that she would become engaged to Mr. Nixon, an old friend of the family.
that she would be interested in marrying again.
his mother falling in love again.
that she would have a love interest of her own.
that she would have news of an engagement.