CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet Chapter 4: A Question of Trust NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'A Question of Trust,' from CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet, delves into a compelling narrative about Horace Danby, a meticulous thief with a passion for rare books. The NCERT Solutions provided here break down the story's key events and character motivations. Students will explore Horace's annual heists, his sophisticated methods, and the unexpected encounter that leads to his downfall. The solutions also analyze the cunning deception employed by a mysterious lady and Horace's own naivety. These detailed explanations are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the plot, understand the characters' complexities, and prepare effectively for their exams by clarifying the story's moral questions and narrative twists.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	Footprints Without Feet
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 4

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, 'A Question of Trust,' focuses on Horace Danby, a thief who steals to fund his expensive hobby of collecting rare books. The NCERT Solutions cover his annual thefts, his careful planning, and his eventual capture. The solutions also highlight the deceptive nature of a woman he encounters and his inability to recognize her true intentions, leading to his arrest. This chapter explores themes of trust, deception, and the blurred lines between respectability and dishonesty.

Learning outcomes

Understand the character of Horace Danby and his motivations.
Analyze the plot of 'A Question of Trust,' including the key events and turning points.
Identify and explain the methods of deception used by the lady in the story.
Evaluate Horace Danby's character and why he is not a typical thief.
Discuss the theme of trust and its consequences within the narrative.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Horace Danby's character and motivations
The art of lock-making
Annual heists for book collection
The encounter with the lady
Deception and manipulation
Horace's arrest
Themes of trust and honesty
Character analysis

Important topics

Horace Danby's dual nature (respectable vs. thief)
The lady's deceptive tactics
The role of fear in Horace's actions
Analysis of the story's climax and resolution
Understanding the title 'A Question of Trust'

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out Pg-20

Q.1 What does Horace Danby like to collect?

What does Horace Danby like to collect?

Solution: Horace Danby has a peculiar and expensive hobby: he is very fond of collecting rare and expensive books. He is not a rich man, but his passion for these books drives his actions.

Q.2 Why does he steal every year?

Why does he steal every year?

Solution: Horace Danby steals every year because he loves rare and expensive books, but he does not have enough money to purchase them legally. His annual thefts are specifically planned to fund his collection and allow him to buy the books he cherishes.

Read and Find Out Pg-22

Q.1 Who is speaking to Horace Danby?

Who is speaking to Horace Danby?

Solution: A young, pretty woman, dressed in red, is speaking to Horace Danby. She presents herself as the lady of the house, although her true identity and intentions are not immediately clear.

Q.2 Who is the real culprit in the story?

Who is the real culprit in the story?

Solution: The real culprit in the story is the young, pretty lady dressed in red. She deceives Horace Danby by posing as the lady of the house when she actually catches him in the act of stealing her jewels.

Think About it

Q.1 Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how?

Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how?

Solution: Yes, one might begin to suspect the lady's true identity before the very end. Initially, her confident demeanor might seem appropriate for the lady of the house. However, the suspicion grows when she starts talking about Horace's sneezes and offers a deal not to call the police if he helps her with her jewels. This unusual proposition, especially the mention of jewels and a potential deal, raises a red flag. The full truth, however, is only confirmed when Horace is arrested for the jewel robbery, revealing that the lady was not who she claimed to be but a thief herself.

Q.2 The lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house. What are the subtle ways she does this? Why doesn't Horace suspect that something is wrong?

The lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house. What are the subtle ways she does this? Why doesn't Horace suspect that something is wrong?

Solution: The lady employs several subtle tactics to deceive Horace. Firstly, her appearance and confident manner align with what Horace might expect of the lady of the house. She claims she has just arrived and wasn't expecting a thief, making her presence seem coincidental. She then uses a threat: she warns Horace that she will call the police if he tries to escape. This threat, combined with Horace's own deep-seated fear of going to prison, makes him nervous and prevents him from questioning her story or her presence. His fear overrides his suspicion, leading him to believe her and comply with her requests.

Q.3 "Horace Danby was good and respectable - but not completely honest". Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can't he be categorised as a typical thief?

"Horace Danby was good and respectable - but not completely honest". Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can't he be categorised as a typical thief?

Solution: This description is apt for Horace Danby because he leads a double life. He is a fifty-year-old man who is successful in his profession as a maker of unique locks, earning enough to employ two helpers and live comfortably. He is seen as respectable in society. However, this respectable facade hides his dishonesty: he commits theft once a year to fund his expensive hobby of collecting rare books. He cannot be categorized as a typical thief because his motives are not driven by greed or malice, but by a passion for books. He plans his crimes meticulously, operates with a certain code (stealing only once a year), and doesn't harm anyone, distinguishing him from common criminals.

Common mistakes

Underestimating the cunning of the lady character.
Failing to recognize Horace Danby's internal conflict between his respectable life and his criminal activities.
Misinterpreting the lady's intentions until the very end.
Not fully grasping why Horace is described as 'not completely honest'.

Revision tips

Reread the story, paying close attention to the dialogue between Horace and the lady.
Summarize Horace Danby's actions and motivations in your own words.
List the ways the lady deceives Horace and why he falls for it.
Consider the author's description of Horace and discuss if it is accurate.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is Horace Danby's primary motivation for stealing?

Q2. What is Horace Danby's profession?

Q3. Who catches Horace Danby in the act of stealing?

Q4. How does the lady deceive Horace Danby?

Q5. Why does Horace Danby not suspect the lady?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main story of 'A Question of Trust' about?

The story is about Horace Danby, a thief who steals to buy rare books, and his encounter with a cunning woman who tricks him into helping her steal jewels, leading to his arrest.

Who is Horace Danby?

Horace Danby is a fifty-year-old man who is good and respectable, earning a living as a locksmith, but secretly commits theft annually to fund his passion for rare books.

Why is Horace Danby not considered a typical thief?

He is described as respectable, plans his thefts meticulously, and steals only once a year to buy expensive books, unlike common thieves who steal for greed or survival.

How does the lady deceive Horace?

She pretends to be the lady of the house, claims she wasn't expecting anyone, and asks Horace to help her retrieve jewels from the safe, playing on his fear of being caught and reported to the police.

What is the significance of the chapter title 'A Question of Trust'?

The title refers to the misplaced trust Horace places in the lady, who appears to be the lady of the house but is actually a thief herself, highlighting the theme of deception.

What lessons can be learned from this story?

The story teaches about the consequences of dishonesty, the importance of discerning true intentions, and how even seemingly respectable individuals can have hidden flaws.

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