Question

Which sentences in this excerpt from W. W. Jacobs's "The Monkey's Paw" show that the White family doubts the major's story?

Answer 1

The sentences that show that the Whites doubt the major's story are:

"Sounds like the 'Arabian Nights,'” said Mrs. White, as she rose and began to set the supper. "Don't you think you might wish for four pairs of hands for me." - Mrs. White mildly mocks the story, joking about the amenities that the magical paw could bring them.

Her husband drew the talisman from his pocket, and all three burst into laughter as the Sergeant-Major, with a look of alarm on his face, caught him by the arm. - All three family members actually make fun of the very concept of a magical paw.

"If the tale about the monkey's paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us," said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest, just in time to catch the last train, "we shan't make much out of it." - Obviously, there's a good reason to doubt the major's story. The family knows him as a man who like to exaggerate things, to say the least.

"Likely," said Herbert, with pretended horror. "Why, we're going to be rich, and famous and happy. Wish to be an emperor, father, to begin with; then you can't be henpecked." - Herbert keeps mocking the alleged magical properties of the monkey's paw.