Question

Although the reader is not told specifically, what news do you think Patrick has for Mary? Cite textual evidence to support your answer.

Answer 1

Answer:Explanation: Although the narrator does not explicitly state that Patrick has announced that he is leaving Mary, his pregnant wife, the words "of course, I'll give you money and see that you're taken care of" make clear his intention. He comments that it would make trouble for him in his job as a policeman if he abandons her. He acknowledges that "it's a tough time to be telling[her] this" without making specific reference to her pregnancy.

Mary's initial reaction could be described as denial; in fact, the narrator observes that "her first instinct was not to believe any of it." It is the epitome of a self-defensive reaction. She instantly decides to act as if she has not heard him so that she can convince herself that "she'd imagined the whole thing." Her default behavior is to go to the kitchen as if it were any other night.

sorry if it dosnt help :(

Answer 2

Explanation: Although the narrator does not explicitly state that Patrick has announced that he is leaving Mary, his pregnant wife, the words "of course, I'll give you money and see that you're taken care of" make clear his intention. He comments that it would make trouble for him in his job as a policeman if he abandons her. He acknowledges that "it's a tough time to be telling[her] this" without making specific reference to her pregnancy.

Mary's initial reaction could be described as denial; in fact, the narrator observes that "her first instinct was not to believe any of it." It is the epitome of a self-defensive reaction. She instantly decides to act as if she has not heard him so that she can convince herself that "she'd imagined the whole thing." Her default behavior is to go to the kitchen as if it were any other night.

sorry if it dosnt help :(