Page 1 - LN5- QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The Hack Driver
Question and Answers

Q1-When the lawyer reached New Mullion, did ‘Bill’ know that he was looking
for Lutkins? When do you think Bill came up with his plan for fooling the
lawyer?
A1- No, Bill didn’t know anything about the lawyer. It was a matter of chance that he
went himself to Bill and enquired about Oliver Lutkins. Bill at once came up with the
plan of fooling the lawyer when he was enquired by the lawyer about Lutkins because
as per the story he was a very cunning man who had to pay off many people.
Therefore, we can say that he was ready with a plan to befool him.
Q2-Lutkins openly takes the lawyer all over the village. How is it that no one lets
out the secret? (Hint: Notice that the hack driver asks the lawyer to keep out of
sight behind him when they go into Fritz’s.) Can you find other such subtle ways
in which Lutkins manipulates the tour?

A2- Lutkins (Bill) was a very cunning man who cooked up a story for the lawyer that
Lutkins would run away if he saw a man dressed like a lawyer enquiring about him.
So, he suggested him to stay behind. It was Lutkins, who used to go into the various
shops first and question the people, due to this no one was able to tell the truth as he
would come up with another story for the villager or may take them in confidence.
Even when they went to search for Lutkins at his mother’s place, he described his
mother as very horrible and there also he introduced himself as bill the hack driver to
his mother and informed her about the lawyer who was searching for Lutkins. This
made his mother to help him out as she knew that she was not supposed to disclose
anything to the lawyer.
Q3- Why do you think Lutkins’ neighbours were anxious to meet the lawyer?

A3-Lutkins took the lawyer all across the town in search of Lutkins himself. He was
able to fool a lawyer with his cooked up stories about Lutkins and other villagers. All
this must have become the talk of the town as it was surprising to witness how a man
could fool the other man in his own search. Everyone had seen this happening. So,
Lutkins’ neighbours were keen to see him as they missed seeing him that day.

Q4-After his first day’s experience with the hack driver the lawyer thinks of
returning to New Mullion to practise law. Do you think he would have
reconsidered this idea after his second visit?

A4- Yes, he may have reconsidered his idea of practicing law at New Mullions. He
had taken this decision because he was impressed by the noble and friendly nature of
Bill. He found that the villagers were nice, innocent and kind. They were far better
than the city people who were not so simple and humble.

But on the second visit when he realized that Lutkins had fooled him, he would
rethink over his idea and would decide not to settle in New Mullion.