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.
This command is given by Uncle Philip to Tom or to whoever might be inclined to visit him. The uncle is telling them not to return or come back because their return will not speed up or hasten the outcome or the process that he has set in motion. He is essentially saying that visiting him again will not change anything or make things happen any faster.
This describes Tom's reaction on hearing the uncle's strange arrangement — he initially believes the uncle is joking.
When Tom hears the uncle's strange and unusual arrangement regarding the inheritance and the condition attached to it, he initially thinks it is simply a cruel jest or joke. Tom does not take the uncle's words seriously at first and believes that the uncle is joking with him rather than stating a genuine condition for the inheritance.
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.
- A. jewels
- B. stones
- C. articles
stones.
Uncle Philip bequeathed all of his precious stones to Tom. This collection represented the uncle's life's work and passion, accumulated over many years of careful selection and acquisition. The stones were stored safely at the trust company, and Tom stood to inherit this valuable collection upon fulfilling the condition laid down in the uncle's will.
- A. rented house
- B. marriage
- C. funeral
funeral.
The condition laid by Uncle Philip for Tom to inherit his property was that Tom had to pay for Uncle Philip's funeral expenses. This seemingly simple requirement became the central dilemma of the story, as it tested Tom's willingness to invest money upfront in order to receive the valuable inheritance of precious stones that awaited him.
- A. throw
- B. carry
- C. shake
shake.
Tom happily looked forward to the expenditure for his uncle's funeral because he was Uncle Philip's sole heir and knew that he stood to inherit a valuable collection of precious stones. The iron box containing the stones represented significant wealth and value. Therefore, Tom viewed the funeral expense as a relatively small and worthwhile investment compared to the substantial inheritance he would receive in return. The promise of inheriting such valuable gems made the funeral cost seem insignificant to him.
- A. a sensitive dynamite
- B. jewels
- C. money
sensitive dynamite.
According to the letter, the iron box contained a dangerous mechanism linked to sensitive dynamite. The mechanism was designed so that the outcome of opening the box depended entirely on the manner in which it was opened. If the box were opened fearfully or hesitantly, the sensitive dynamite would be triggered and the box would explode. However, if the box were opened confidently and without fear, the mechanism would not activate and the box would open safely. This clever and sinister mechanism served as the central twist in the story, creating a psychological test for Tom.
Uncle Philip counselled Tom to handle the box carefully and open it without fear. He advised Tom to treat the box with caution but not to be paralyzed by anxiety. Uncle Philip's counsel was meant to reassure Tom that if he proceeded thoughtfully and methodically, he could manage the task safely. This guidance was important because Tom was naturally apprehensive about what the box might contain and needed encouragement to face the situation with composure rather than panic.
- A. wounded
- B. killed
- C. maimed
killed.
Tom was shocked when he read Uncle Philip's letter and learned that the iron box supposedly contained sensitive dynamite. The shock came at the moment of reading the letter, when the true nature of what he was supposed to handle became clear to him. This revelation transformed the situation from a simple matter of opening a box into a dangerous task that could result in an explosion. The knowledge that the box contained such a volatile and deadly substance filled Tom with dread and anxiety about how to proceed safely.
- A. home
- B. a safe distance
- C. a waste land
a safe distance.
Dr Schaff warned Tom that thinking too much about the precious stones put him in danger of losing his mind. The doctor was concerned that Tom's constant worry and obsessive thoughts about the contents of the box were taking a psychological toll on him. Dr Schaff believed that excessive mental preoccupation with the situation could lead to mental breakdown or insanity. This warning highlighted the serious emotional and psychological strain that the dilemma was placing on Tom.
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 felt a strong sense of personal responsibility and moral obligation. He believed that since the box had been entrusted to him by Uncle Philip, the danger and burden should fall on him alone rather than on an innocent person. Tom's refusal to delegate the task demonstrated his courage and his unwillingness to put someone else's life in jeopardy. He understood that if the box truly contained dynamite as the letter suggested, opening it could be fatal, and he could not in good conscience ask another person to undertake such a perilous task on his behalf.
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