English

Chapter- 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory

Word Meanings

1. Close quarters - minutely

2. Insane - mad

3. Intruder - uninvited visitor

4. Inconceivable - unbelievable

5. Intimate - personal and secret

6. Deliberate - knowingly done

7. Ruthless - having or showing no pity

8. Sarcasm – the use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say made in
order to hurt someone’s feelings

9. Sleuthing - investigating

10. Slammed - put down with a noise

11. Conscientious – putting a lot of effort into your work

12. Gather his wits – allow oneself to think calmly and clearly

13. Tranquilliser- medicine taken to reduce tension or anxiety

14. Affluence – the state of being rich

15. In retribution of – a punishment for

Answer the following Questions:

1. Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?

The man, Parimal Ghose, was taken aback when Bepin failed to recognize him. He didn’t
believe that Bepin had a lapse of memory.

2. Mention any three things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.

Parimal Ghose knew following things about Bepin Babu:

 (i) that Bepin Babu slipped near Hudroo falls and hurt his leg.

(ii) that Bepin stayed in a Bungalow because he preferred food by bawarchi.

(iii) that Bepin Babu’s wife died 10 years ago.

3. Why did Bepin worry about what Parimal Ghose had said?

Bepin Babu was continuously worried about what Parimal Ghose had said because he
had shown that he knew many intimate facts about him. He knew about the bag of
books, his wife’s death and his brother’s insanity. Considering that Parimal Ghose knew
too much about him, Bepin Babu couldn’t say with conviction that he was making a
mistake about the Ranchi trip.

4. Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr. Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to phone
him?

Bepin Babu hesitated to visit Mr. Dinesh Mukerji because he was afraid of the ruthless
sarcasm he would have to face. He felt that if the whole story about Ranchi was false,
then Mr. Mukerji would that he had gone insane.

Being constantly troubled by the incident and having no other means for verifying the
claims of Parimal Ghose, Bepin Babu finally decided to call Mr. Mukerji.

5. Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?

Chunilal was an old friend of Bepin Babu. He wanted a favour from Bepin Babu in his job.

6. The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What evi¬dence
can you find in the story to support this?
Bepin Babu was a serious, honest and hardworking fellow. He went to office regularly.
He was doing a responsible job. He was not a good mixer. Being serious minded, he
didn’t waste time in idle chat.

7. How do you think Bepin Babu reacted when he found out that Chunilal had tricked him?
Bepin Babu’s first reaction was that he regretted having refused to help Chunilal. He saw
through Chunilal’s trick to test him, and learnt a lesson.
8. What was Bepin Choudhury’s ailment or problem? Was it real or deliberate?
Bepin Babu was a lonely man. His wife had died some 10 years ago. His ailment was the
lapse of memory. He clearly forgot that he had been to Ranchi in ’58. Nothing could
revive his memory. Finally, he hit against some rock in Ranchi and became unconscious.
On returning home he received Chunilal’s letter. The letter had an electrifying effect. And
Bepin Babu felt relaxed.