Q1. What is your name?

The letter was tucked into his belt and he had the bottle in his hand. ‘One day that dog of yours will be the cause of our undoing, Bess,’ he said with a laugh, and he puffed purposefully on his pipe. I put my finger to my lips for fear we would be overheard. ‘Where were you last night?’ I whispered. ‘I called you and called you.’ ‘Your grandmother is well again I trust?’ he asked. I nodded. ‘I’m glad of it.’ He held up the bottle. ‘The elixir I discovered whilst I was a prisoner in the tower. It took years of work to perfect it. They allowed me to use a shed underneath the wall for my experiments. There is something to be said for imprisonment. It is a life without distraction and concentrates the mind most wonderfully. I administered this medicine to my friends and family, even to my jailors, and they were glad of it.’ ‘Why didn’t you come last night?’ I asked. ‘I only wanted to say sorry. I didn’t really mean all those things I said, and I wanted to thank you for saving Gran like you did.’ ‘Sweet cousin,’ he said, putting his hands on my shoulders and kissing me on my forehead. ‘I cannot in truth be thanked for restoring health one whom I myself brought so nearly to the point of death. You see before you a miserable fellow whose life was wasted in may fruitless schemes. They came to nothing and through mine own vanity too. In truth, I had hoped in my spirit life to improve myself, to mend my ways. But I see not my character is quite unredeemable. You were right indeed to scold me as you did, and you should not thank me now, cousin. I have repaired the damage I myself have caused, and even in so doing I have replaced you again under the threat of discovery. I had not the thought to destroy the letter and elixir. I had not the thought they might be discovered not even how you would explain it if they were. I am an old fool, cousin. I am a blundering, vain old fool, the same as I ever was. Blame not your brother, dear Bess, for he is much perplexed by what has passed. In truth I see in him something of myself as a boy – quick to temper and quick to tears, but he has a kind heart and will grow to a fine man.’ ‘He’s a pig,’ I said. ‘Wasn’t my fault his jug broke. It was Humph. And he goes tells everyone like that. Serves him right.’

Q3. ‘he puffed purposefully on his pipe…’ What does the word ‘purposefully’ suggest about how Walter puffed on his pipe?

Q4. ‘whose life was wasted in many fruitless schemes.’ What does the word ‘fruitless’ suggest about Walter’s schemes?

Q5. ‘my character is quite unredeemable.’ What does the word ‘unredeemable’ suggest about Walter’s character?

Q6. ‘…he is much perplexed…’ What does the word ‘perplexed’ tell you about Will?