Question

The needs of looking after others was not the only thing that urged the chemist to such obsequious cordiality; there was a plan underneath it all. What was the chemist's behavior towards others?

1) brusque
2) genuine
3) servile
4) recent

Answer 1

The chemist was exhibiting a servile demeanor, characterized by an excessive eagerness to please or serve others for underlying personal motives.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemist's behavior towards others was not brusque, genuine, or recent; instead, it was servile. This means that the chemist was exhibiting an excessive willingness to serve or please others and likely to obey others unquestioningly. The cited text excerpts depict various characters engaging in social behaviors that are servile in nature, such as assisting the farmers with their labor, being particularly gentle and ingratiating, showing deference toward the wealthy, and providing obsequious cordiality with an underlying plan. In each case, these behaviors are designed to gain favor or achieve a specific objective.

The chemist's behavior towards others can be described as servile. In the passage, it is mentioned that the chemist had a plan underneath his obsequious cordiality. This suggests that his behavior towards others was driven by an ulterior motive rather than being genuine. The chemist was helpful and agreeable, assisting farmers with their tasks and showing favor to children to win the favor of their mothers. This servile behavior aimed to ingratiate himself and gain the trust of others.