It’s either paint or tool.
This tells me that Ralph has a lot of weight on his back. Everyone depends on him which makes him stressed and not want to deal with anything. He doesn't want to be the leader. This moment foreshadow's that something is going to come up and Ralph needs to take the leader position.
Best of luck,

(B) The walk around Saxe-Coburg Square
is the key event in story which leads to Holmes' solution of the case.
I would say the theme is literary. The kid who doesn't study gets a bad grade while the one who did is the first one finished. But it isn't stated explicitly (as a direct or stated theme would be). I hope this helps.