8. Why does the author choose to end the scene with Alfred's reflection about his mother? A B. The reflection allows for readers to consider the importance of a mother-son relationship. The excitement of the conflict between Mr. Carr and Mrs. Higgins must be resolved in the end. The author wants to wind down the action and elicit sympathy for Alfred from the reader. The change Alfred undergoes as a result of his new understanding emphasizes the coming of age theme. С

Read the excerpt from "object lesson, part 2." "no sign of the original envelope? " "no." "i found two boys with bills — in each case a single, too. david strager and joey buell. no envelope." louise's brows met. ellery glanced up at the clock. 9: 07. he strolled over to her. "don't show them you're worried. there's nothing to worry about. we have twenty-eight minutes." he raised his voice, smiling. which statement explains the inference ellery makes and why he makes it? he infers that miss carpenter thinks they are not going to find the thief because he sees her facial expression. he infers that it will take twenty-eight more minutes to find the missing money because that is all the time he has. he infers that the original envelope will not be found because neither david strager nor joey buell has it. he infers that david strager and joey buell took the money because they each have a dollar bill.