Question

the sentimentality of william tavener
by willa cather
hester drew her chair still nearer william’s. since the children had begun growing up, her conversation with her husband had been almost wholly confined to questions of economy and expense. their relationship had become purely a business one. in her desire to indulge her boys she had assumed a defensive and almost hostile attitude towards her husband. no debtor ever haggled with his banker more doggedly than did hester with her husband in behalf of her sons. the contest had gone on so long that it had almost crowded out the memory of a closer relationship. tonight common memories took them unawares and opened their hearts; their exchange had all the miracle of romance. they talked on and on of old neighbors, of old familiar faces in the valley where they had grown up, of long - forgotten incidents of their youth—weddings, picnics, sleighing parties and baptizings. for years they had talked of nothing else but butter and eggs and the prices of things, and now they had as much to say to each other as people who meet after a long separation.
she heard the boys returning and went out to meet them. “i’ll be up early to get your breakfast, boys. your father says you can go to the show.” as she handed the money to the eldest, she felt a sudden throb of allegiance to her husband and said sharply, “and you be careful of that, an’ don’t waste it. your father works hard for his money.”
the boys looked at each other in astonishment and felt that they had lost a powerful ally.
adapted from willa cather’s “the sentimentality of william tavener,” 1900.
select the correct answer.
why are the boys surprised by their mother’s behavior?
they are surprised to see her separated from their father.
they are surprised to see her defend their father.
they are surprised she convinced their father to let them go to the show.
they are surprised that she is worried about the money they spend.

Explanation:

The text states that Hester had a defensive, hostile attitude toward her husband, often haggling with him on her sons' behalf. So her sudden sharp defense of her husband (telling the boys to be careful with his hard-earned money) is a reversal of her usual behavior, surprising the boys.

Answer:

They are surprised to see her defend their father.