Question

Read the excerpt. Which detail introduces the central idea that the two cyclists might be related? (14) "Left nothing behind, I hope," said the other, glancing back. "Hullo! There's a letter tumbled out of somebody's pocket in the stramash--yours or mine?" (15) It lay address upwards between them, and the taller of the two with a brief "Mine," picked it up and put it in his pocket. His companion stared at him. (16) "Look here," he said, holding out his hand. "You've made a mistake--that letter belongs to me--I'm Edward Cruttenden." (17) It was the other's turn to stare. "The deuce you are! Why!--my name is Edward Cruttenden!" (18) They stood thus staring at each other with a sudden dim sense of their own similarity, until the shorter of the two shook his head whimsically. (19) "This is confusing," he remarked in a tone of argument. "Let's sit down and have a pipe over it--we shall have to differentiate ourselves before we start out into the world together."...

Answer 1

The detail that introduces the central idea that the two cyclists might be related is found in lines 17-18.

The taller cyclist, upon hearing the shorter one's claim to be Edward Cruttenden, responds with surprise, stating, "The deuce you are! Why!--my name is Edward Cruttenden!" This revelation creates a sudden dim sense of their own similarity.

The shared name, Edward Cruttenden, becomes a crucial detail suggesting a possible familial connection or relation between the two cyclists. Their astonishment and the subsequent need to differentiate themselves before venturing into the world together add an intriguing element of mystery and potential kinship to the story.