Hearts and Hands

: What can the reader infer about Easton’s character based on the interaction between him and Miss Fairchild?

• He is a charming young man who values the importance of money, which was likely the thing that got him into trouble.

• He is a timid, awkward man who, if he were not interrupted, would have told Miss Fairchild the truth and pleaded for help.

• He is in love with Miss Fairchild and went out west to make money so he could marry her, but became a marshal when he failed.

• He is dishonest and deceptive, as shown by how easily he lies to Miss Fairchild and pulls the unwilling marshal into the lie too.

How does the story's setting influence its plot?

• The close quarters of the train car create a sense of danger since Mr. Easton is near enough to Miss Farchild to pose a risk to her saftey.

• Being on a moving train ensures that Mr. Easton cannot escape the glum-faced marshal until the train stops in the next town.

• The eastbound train from Denver makes it believable that Miss Farchild would be traveling to Washington D.C. and Mr. Easton to Leavenworth, Kansas

• The crowded trian car causes Mr. Easton and Miss Fairchild to interact, forcing Easton into the uncomfortable situation of seeing an acquaintance.

Reread the following sentence:

Money has a way of taking wings unto itself, and you know it takes money to keep step with our crowd in Washington.

How does the figurative language in the sentence contribute to the readers’ understanding of Easton’s criminal actions?

• Easton made counterfeit money as a way to impress his friends and help them buy things that they couldn’t afford.

• Easton spent money so quickly that he decided to create counterfeit money to help him keep up his rich lifestyle.

• Easton’s money was stolen by a friend in Washington, so he made counterfeit money to get by until the criminal was caught.

• Easton’s money was taken away by birds, and he decided to rob banks for money.

How does the information provided in paragraph 10 help readers understand Miss Fairchild’s perspective on Mr. Easton?

• Like the real marshal, she is very observant and seems to have seen through Easton’s lie; she hints at this by comparing him to the “Wild West” stories.

• Like Easton, Miss Fairchild believes that money is the most important thing, but she pretends otherwise to avoid hurting his feelings.

• She seems impressed with Easton, partly due to her interest in the West and the new image she has of him as a western hero.

• She seems to have a crush on Easton, though only because he reminds her of many fond memories of their old group in Washington.

The details in paragraphs 21 through 23 help the reader infer that -

• Mr. Easton treats criminals with respect

• the glum-faced man is the marshal

• Mr. Easton has intimidated the other passengers

• the glum-faced man is younger than Mr. Easton

Based on the details presented in the story, which best identifies what “Hearts” in the title “Hearts and Hands” symbolizes?

• Easton’s love of money

• Miss Fairchild’s enjoyment of the West

• the marshal’s kindness toward Easton

• the passenger’s appreciation for the marshal