F.1: Two Gentlemen of Verona (by A.J. Cronin)

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Q. "We do many things, sir". What different jobs dis the boys do?

A. The boys shined shoes, sold fruits, hawked newspaper, conducted tourists round in town, and ran errands.
Q. Why didn't Nicola like his brother asking the narrator to them to Poleta by car?

A. Nicola did not like his brother asking the narrator because this would reveal their secret about their sister and their ongoing struggles due to the war. Moreover, Nicola being a gentleman did not want to trouble the narrator.
Q. As the narrator, write an article on the lesson of love, faith and trust that you have learned from the two boys of Verona. (VBQ 120-150 words)

A.

 A Life Lesson From Two Boys
                             - A J Cronin

Love, faith and trust are three virtues which can help us overcome any obstacle in life. I met two living examples of this in form of two small children in Verona.

These two young gentlemen lost everything in the war and lived in dire straits. But they never lost hope and strived hard each day to help their tuberculosis ridden sister. Their story has left a lasting impression on me. Their tale of hardships and sacrifice would make anyone believe that every cloud has a silver lining.

Have faith in yourself and never lose hope and you will get through whatever comes in life. Their sacrifices for their loved one also touched me.

They taught me the most valuable lesson that when life knocks you down, don't quit, stand up and fight back.

Q. RTC

 " They sat beside me, not speaking. For my part, I did not say a word".

i) Why did the boys sit quietly behind the narrator while being driven back?

A.i) The boys sat quietly because they did not want to discuss their secret.

ii) Why did the author not speak to the boys on their return journey?

A.ii) The author did not speak to the boys because he did not want them to know that he knew their secret.

iii) What idea do you get about the narrator from the above lines?

A.iii) The above lines tell that the narrator was very sensible and understanding and did not like to intrude on anyone's privacy. 
Q. Why were the two boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do they exhibit?   [N.C.E.R.T.]

 A. One night, the narrator encountered Nicola and Jacopo in the deserted square. There, the two boys were waiting for the last bus from Padua where they would sell their last bundle of newspapers. This showed that the boys were extremely industrious and determined. The brothers had a strong will power and untiring stamina. 
Q. Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys.  [N.C.E.R.T.]

 A. Nicola and Jacopo were two shabby little street dwellers in Verona. Yet there was a certain charisma about them which caught the attention of the narrator. Their untidy appearance, worn out clothes and skinny, mal-nourished built was just a trivial and unnecessary part of their personality. They had more to them than met the eye.
                    The two brothers were strong-willed, determined and focused on achieving their goal of paying for their sister's treatment. Hidden behind their poor appearance was their industrious nature and workaholic attitude. Seeing their positive and hard-working attitude, it can be rightly said that appearances are deceptive; it is the inner strength that counts.

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