Why does the stranger say the farmer is a "more disagreeable man" than his brother, the schoolmaster? Because the activities of farm life are more laborious than those of the school-room.
What expression that takes the form of a proverb is used in describing this incident? "To make hay while the sun shone."
Distinguish its meaning, as the author uses it, from its meaning as a proverb. The author uses it in its literal meaning. The farmer must make the most of fine weather and sunshine in curing ("making") his hay, for, if rain comes after it is cut, it will be more or less injured. Used as a proverb, the expression means that one should seize the opportunities presented and make the most of them.
What does Hawthorne mean by placing a Mr. Toil at the head of the company of soldiers? Military movements, though very attractive to the eye, really involve work. Soldiers find their activities very toilsome, especially after the novelty has worn off.
Why is Mr. Toil placed even among the dancers? The pursuit of pleasure soon becomes wearisome, and hence toilsome.
Why is the fiddler represented as a Frenchman? France, as a whole, is reputed to be the gayest and sprightliest of nations.
What is meant by saying that "those who have known him best think him still more disagreeable than his brothers"? Those who devote themselves entirely to the pursuit of pleasure find it more toilsome and disagreeable than ordinary work. People frequently say, after a day given up to pleasure, that they are more tired than if they had worked hard all day.
In which of the incidents of the story does it seem least likely that Mr. Toil would be met with? In the incident of the merry-makers.
In which, most likely? The incident of the haymakers.
How has Hawthorne apparently arranged Daffydowndilly's experiences? He has so arranged them that in each successive incident we are more surprised at meeting with Mr. Toil. Each one seems to promise less probability of his presence than the preceding.