 Questions 1-9

 Bob sees himself reflected in the horses– much as his family members identify and respond to one another.

 The third-person limited point of view reveals the thoughts and feelings of one character– Bob.

 Bob’s ability to handle horses and win their trust sets him apart from other cowboys.

 Everyone laughs at Bob’s idea of bringing in the herd alone, so he goes out on his own and proves them wrong.

 The details that the narrator lives in a cabin and works on a typewriter (paragraphs 1-2) reveals that the narrator is a writer.

 A narrator who is within the story refers to himself or herself as “I” giving a first- person point of view.

 The narrator thinks the boy is not up to the job. She offers to pay him for his afternoon’s work because she plans to ask the orphanage to send an older boy (paragraph 12).

 Jerry first arrives at the cabin on his own, chops wood as well as a strong man, returns to the orphanage for supper, and comes back as promised.

 Both Bob and Jerry are dependable– when they say they will do a job, they do it swiftly and completely.

 Questions 10-11

 Bob Lemmons is shy, as shown when he timidly suggests that he be allowed to try to capture the herd of horses (paragraph 3). He is confident– when the other cowboys laugh at him, he reminds them that he can handle horses better than anyone else (paragraph 3). He is responsible– he wants to capture the herd for the ranch, and he returns with the horses three weeks after setting out (paragraph 3).

 From the boy’s reaction to the narrator’s praise, readers can infer that he is glad to help someone and is very happy that his work is appreciated. This is shown by the way his face lights up when he hears the compliment (paragraph 16). Readers might also infer that he is not used to receiving many compliments, since this one seems to affect him so deeply. The way the boy looks at the narrator and the coin but says nothing, although he appears to want to say something (paragraph 18), suggests that he is shy. He is finally able to talk to the narrator after he has turned away (paragraph 19). The way he talks about the work he plans to do the next day suggests that the boy is proud of his work and feels responsible for making sure that the narrator’s needs are met. The details he provides about the different kinds of firewood (paragraph 19) suggest that the boy is skilled and knowledgeable about chopping wood.

 Questions 1-5

 The context clue “I was” shows that the narrator is describing her manner as blunt, and the her speech that follows is abrupt and frank (paragraph 9).

 Texture refers to the sound of the chopping, not the appearance, quality, composition, or structure.

 Similes use like or as to compare two unlike things, as in this comparison of a horse’s mane and tail to ribbons in the breeze.

 Bob sees himself reflected in the horse; he connects and identifies with it.

 The simile compares the boy’s eyes to a sky filled with rain clouds, which is bluish- grey.