In the story the uncle uses an odd tone and anticipates Tom's reaction; this line is the uncle explaining his eccentric behaviour/arrangements.
The uncle (speaking in his letter/statement to Tom).
This command appears to be given by the uncle to Tom or a visitor, telling them not to return because returning will not speed up the outcome the uncle is describing.
The uncle.
This describes Tom's reaction on hearing the uncle's strange arrangement — he initially believes the uncle is joking.
Tom (the narrator).
In context, Tom is reluctant about the uncle's condition (paying the funeral) even though it will make him heir; thus ‘he did not desire to do so’ refers to Tom's unwillingness.
Tom (he did not desire to pay the funeral expense initially).
This line is typically said by a person who wants time to consider a purchase and indicates they will return later. In the story context it fits a dealer or Tom considering something.
The shopkeeper/jeweller (or a buyer) — someone considering a purchase and deciding to return.
Whenever Uncle Philip bought a new stone, he carried it in his pocket for a month and took it out from time to time to admire it; afterward he stored it safely at the trust company.
Whenever Uncle Philip bought a new stone, he carried it in his pocket for a month and took it out from time to time to admire it; afterward he stored it safely at the trust company.
- A. jewels
- B. stones
- C. articles
stones.
stones.
Uncle Philip bequeathed all his precious stones to Tom.
Uncle Philip bequeathed all his precious stones to Tom.
- A. rented house
- B. marriage
- C. funeral
funeral.
funeral.
Tom had to pay Uncle Philip's funeral expenses in order to inherit the property.
Tom had to pay Uncle Philip's funeral expenses in order to inherit the property.
- A. throw
- B. carry
- C. shake
shake.
shake.
Tom was Uncle Philip's sole heir and expected the iron box to contain valuable stones, so the funeral expense seemed small compared with the inheritance.
Tom was Uncle Philip's sole heir and expected the iron box to contain valuable stones, so the funeral expense seemed small compared with the inheritance.
- A. a sensitive dynamite
- B. jewels
- C. money
sensitive dynamite.
sensitive dynamite.
The letter claimed that the box had a mechanism linked to sensitive dynamite: opening it fearfully would make it explode, while opening it confidently would not.
The letter claimed that the box had a mechanism linked to sensitive dynamite: opening it fearfully would make it explode, while opening it confidently would not.
Uncle Philip counselled Tom to handle the box carefully and open it without fear.
Uncle Philip counselled Tom to handle the box carefully and open it without fear.
- A. wounded
- B. killed
- C. maimed
killed.
killed.
Tom was shocked when he read Uncle Philip's letter and learned that the iron box supposedly contained sensitive dynamite.
Tom was shocked when he read Uncle Philip's letter and learned that the iron box supposedly contained sensitive dynamite.
- A. home
- B. a safe distance
- C. a waste land
a safe distance.
a safe distance.
Dr Schaff warned Tom that thinking too much about the precious stones put him in danger of losing his mind.
Dr Schaff warned Tom that thinking too much about the precious stones put him in danger of losing his mind.
Tom did not want another person to risk being killed while opening the box, so he would not assign the task to anyone else.
Tom did not want another person to risk being killed while opening the box, so he would not assign the task to anyone else.
Concise summary: uncle names Tom heir, requires Tom to pay funeral expenses, mentions iron box left to Tom and gives special instructions about it (e.g. not to shake/open), and explains his motives.
The uncle’s letter informed Tom that he had made Tom his heir, but it imposed an unusual condition: Tom must pay for the uncle’s funeral. The letter explained the uncle’s penchant for collecting precious stones and that he had left an iron box in Tom’s care. The uncle gave instructions about the box—warning Tom not to shake or otherwise tamper with it—and explained his reasons for the odd arrangements. The tone mixed formality with eccentricity: the uncle anticipated disbelief, justified his request, and outlined exactly what Tom was to do upon the uncle’s death. The letter combined bequest, instruction and a test of Tom’s character, and caused Tom a mixture of incredulity and calculation as he considered the expense required to claim the inheritance.
Summary: multiple physical and investigative attempts were made by Tom; none worked because the box was securely locked/constructed to resist ordinary attempts and may have been intended as part of the uncle’s test.
Tom tried several methods to open the iron box: he examined it, shook and tapped it, searched for hinges or catches, and attempted to force it open with tools and by brute force. He even consulted others (locksmiths or workmen) and tried to discover any secret fastenings. Despite these efforts he did not succeed in opening it. The box was either securely fastened in a way he could not discover or designed so that it could not be opened without the uncle's secret; thus his attempts failed. The uncle’s instructions and the box’s construction prevented Tom from accessing the contents easily.
- A. on his deathbed
- B. on his travels
- C. in his workplace
The uncle sent for the narrator when he was on his deathbed to make his bequest and give instructions.
A
- A. his offspring
- B. his friends
- C. the Society
Unable to resolve safely to an individual, he left the box to the Society — entrusting it to an institution rather than to family or friends.
C