A Question Of Trust Class 10 English Chapter 4 CBSE Notes 2025-26

A Question of Trust explores themes of honesty, deception, and the unexpected turns of fate in the life of Horace Danby. Horace appears to be a respectable citizen, living a quiet life with a housekeeper. However, he carries a secret: every year, he painstakingly plans and executes a theft to fund his passion for rare and expensive books. His meticulous nature and cautious planning make him successful in both his lock-making business and his hidden profession as a thief.

Horace suffers from hay fever, which plays a notable part in the story. On the fateful day, he chooses Shotover Grange for his next robbery. The house is left nearly empty as the family is away and the two servants have gone to the movies—details that Horace verifies carefully before proceeding. His objective is clear: steal enough from the safe to purchase the coveted books he has been eyeing in the autumn auctions.

Horace Danby's Methods and Planning

Horace is extremely careful in his preparations. He observes the routines at Shotover Grange for two weeks, taking note of the security arrangements, the layout, and even details such as the kitchen key being left on a hook. He ensures he is wearing gloves while breaking in, so as not to leave any evidence like fingerprints, demonstrating his experience and prudence.

He even manages to pacify the household dog by using its name, "Sherry," showing that he pays attention to small details that could potentially foil his plan. Once inside, he heads straight for the drawing-room, where the safe is concealed behind a painting. The only minor difficulty he faces is his constant sneezing due to the flowers, which his hay fever cannot tolerate.

A Sudden Turn of Events

Just as Horace is focussed on the safe, a young woman unexpectedly enters the room. She appears kind but firm and quickly establishes a conversation, expertly masking her real intent. She appears to be the lady of the house—her familiarity with the dog, her casual demeanor, and her reference to her husband all seem genuine to Horace.

The woman gently confronts Horace about his intentions but steers the situation to her advantage. She tells Horace she has forgotten the code to the safe and requests his help in opening it, claiming she wishes to wear her jewels to a party. She promises not to report him to the police if he assists her. Horace, desperate to avoid capture and convinced by her act, removes his gloves and opens the safe for her.

Deception and the Twist

Horace unwittingly falls into a trap. By trusting the woman, he is manipulated into leaving his fingerprints at the scene, as he takes off his gloves to please her. Once the task is done, he joyfully hands over the jewels and makes his exit, believing he has secured his freedom. For a short while, he honors his promise to never commit another crime. But the longing for rare books tempts him again.

The story takes a final turn when Horace is arrested for the robbery. The police find his fingerprints all over the room, evidence that he cannot deny. The twist is revealed—the real lady of the house, a much older woman, denies any knowledge of Horace or any request made to open the safe. 

Horace realizes too late that he was deceived by another thief, more cunning than himself. Now serving as an assistant librarian in prison, he is haunted by the memory of the young woman who tricked him and the irony of 'honour among thieves'.

Glossary and Literary Features

- Hay fever: This term, highlighted in the story, refers to an allergy affecting the nose and throat due to pollen or dust.

• Dramatic Irony: Readers know more about Horace’s fate than he does, especially as the woman deceives him.
• Dialogue: The story uses natural, witty conversation, especially in the exchanges between Horace and the woman.
• Theme: The main themes include trust, deception, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Comprehension and Discussion Points

• At what point does the reader suspect the woman is not the true lady of the house?
• How does the woman manage to convince Horace of her identity?
• Does Horace’s interest in books and his honest image make him different from typical thieves?
• Why did his carefully made plan fail?
• Is the punishment Horace received fair, or did he deserve his fate?
• Do intentions justify actions? Are there situations where dishonest actions might be excused?

Key Characters At a Glance

The story leaves readers pondering about trust, guilt, and whether the end can ever justify the means. In the end, Horace Danby's cleverness is undone by his own desire for books and a misplaced trust in someone he should have doubted. This chapter highlights not just the suspense of the theft, but also the moral dilemmas that people face, making it a memorable lesson in the complexities of right and wrong.

Suggested Reading for Further Understanding

• The Unexpected by Ella Edkin
• The Confession by Anton Chekhov
• A Case for the Defence by Graham Greene

Class 10 English Chapter 4 Notes – A Question of Trust: CBSE Footprints Without Feet Revision Guide

Use these Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 4 revision notes to quickly grasp the story, character traits, and key plot twists for A Question of Trust. This chapter explores trust and deception, offering detailed summaries and character sketches for effective exam preparation.

These carefully structured notes help students revise important literary themes and comprehension questions from the NCERT textbook. Reviewing these key points ensures a better understanding of the chapter and boosts confidence for CBSE board exams.