Two brothers, Herbert and James, lived with their mother and a cat named Edgar. James was particularly devoted to the cat, and when he had to leave town for several days, he left Herbert careful instructions about the pet’s care. At the end of his first day away, James telephoned his brother, “How is Edgar?”
“Edgar is dead.” Herbert answered. There was a pause. Then James said, “Herbert, you’re insensitive (漠然的). You know how close I was to Edgar. You should have broken the news to me slowly. When I asked about Edgar tonight, you should have said, ‘Edgar’s on the roof , but I have called the fire department to get him down.’ And tomorrow when I called, you could have said the firemen were having trouble getting Edgar down, but you were hopeful they would succeed. Then when I called the third time, you could have told me that the firemen have done their best, but unfortunately Edgar had fallen off the roof and was at the veterinarian’s (兽医站). Then when I called the last time, you could have said that although everything possible had been done for Edgar, he had died. That’s the way a sensitive man would have told me about Edgar. And, oh, before I forget,” James added, “how is mother?”
“Oh,” Herbert said, pausing for a moment, “She’s on the roof.”
1. James telephoned his brother at the end of his first day away because he wanted to know _____.
A. what he was doing
B. whether he was good
C. whether the cat was good
D. where his mother was
2. Why did James say his brother was insensitive?
A. Because he told him the news directly. B. Because he killed their pet.
C. Because his mother was on the roof. D. Because he missed the truth about the cat.
3. From the last paragraph of the passage, we can know that the mother was probably _____.
A. on the roof B. ill or even dead
C. repairing the house D. playing games