The Dreamer

Very plain and simple clothing

Step 1: 'Sartorial' relates to clothing and tailoring. 'Quietude' means calmness or plainness. Step 2: Together, 'sartorial quietude' literally means calmness in clothing — i.e., very plain, simple dressing. Step 3: The story uses this phrase to describe how Cyprian was 'quietly dressed', which commonly goes with adolescence. Step 4: It is NOT fancy or colourful (that would be a 'Nut'), nor is it untidy. Step 5: So the correct meaning is 'very plain and simple clothing'.

He felt wearing a hat while shopping was a nuisance because he would have to remove it while his hands were full.

Step 1: The question asks Cyprian's own reason for not wearing a hat. Step 2: When Mrs. Chemping asked, Cyprian replied that wearing a hat while shopping is a nuisance. Step 3: His logic was: if you meet someone you know, you must remove your hat as a greeting — but you can't do that if your hands are full of parcels. Step 4: He concludes: 'If one hasn't got a hat on, one can't take it off.' This is clever, practical reasoning. Step 5: So his stated reason is about the inconvenience of social etiquette while shopping with full hands.

A Nut

Step 1: The story uses a period slang term for a type of young man. Step 2: In the story, Mrs. Chemping asks Cyprian: 'You are not going to be what they call a Nut, are you?' Step 3: The footnote explains 'Nut' was a slang term from the past for a young man who dresses in fancy clothes. Step 4: Mrs. Chemping feared Cyprian might become a 'Nut' because such a person would refuse to carry parcels — defeating the whole purpose of bringing him along. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is 'A Nut'.

Seven chrysanthemum vases

Step 1: The question tests recall of what Mrs. Chemping actually purchased at the glassware counter. Step 2: She went to the glassware section to buy decanters (for Millicent) and a salad bowl (for herself). Step 3: However, after 'handling and scrutinising a large number of decanters and a long series of salad bowls', she ended up buying seven chrysanthemum vases instead. Step 4: She rationalised this by saying, 'No one uses that kind of vase nowadays, but they will do for presents next Christmas.' Step 5: This shows her impulsive and irrational buying behaviour — classic satire by Saki on co