1 5 Before The coming Testatina of Autumn Chapter BEFORE READING 1 Why do you think the children s uncle never came to see them or answered their letters? Tick the answer you think is correct. He was a very busy man. He had been obliged to take responsibility for them but he had no desire to do so in practice. He preferred to live in London and disliked the country, especially Bly. He wanted to forget an unpleasant experience with Quint and Miss Jessel. He had no idea that the children cared about him because their letters to him were never posted. He was a little afraid of the children and their strange ways. He thought it was better for the governess to be in charge of the house without him interfering. 2 Nobody knows why Miles was expelled from school, but it must have been for something serious. What kind of anti-social behaviour do you think young children could be expelled for? Underline your answers. a. Stealing from other children; b. Stealing from teachers; c. Insulting the teachers; d. Using vulgar language; e. Behaving in an indecent way; f. Lying to teachers; g. Never doing their homework; h. Failing their exams; i. Trying to run away from school; j. Corrupting or bullying other children 3 Do you think the governess was right not to inform Miles s uncle immediately about the headmaster s letter? Do you think she should tell him about the strange things happening in the house, too? Give your reasons why or why not. ........................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................... 65