The Interlopers

Question

by Saki

For a space both men were silent, turning over in their minds the wonderful changes that this dramatic reconciliation would bring about. In the cold, gloomy forest, with the wind tearing in fitful gusts through the naked branches and whistling round the tree-trunks, they lay and waited for the help that would now bring release and succour to both parties. And each prayed a private prayer that his men might be the first to arrive, so that he might be the first to show honourable attention to the enemy that had become a friend.

Presently, as the wind dropped for a moment, Ulrich broke silence.

“Let’s shout for help,” he said, “in this lull our voices may carry a little way.”

“They won’t carry far through the trees and undergrowth,” said Georg, “but we can try. Together, then.”

The two raised their voices in a prolonged hunting call.

“Together again,” said Ulrich a few minutes later, after listening in vain for an answering halloo.

“I heard nothing but the pestilential wind,” said Georg hoarsely.

There was silence again for some minutes, and then Ulrich gave a joyful cry.

“I can see figures coming through the wood. They are following in the way I came down the hillside.”

Both men raised their voices in as loud a shout as they could muster.

“They hear us! They’ve stopped. Now they see us. They’re running down the hill towards us,” cried Ulrich.

“How many of them are there?” asked Georg.

“I can’t see distinctly,” said Ulrich; “nine or ten,”

“Then they are yours,” said Georg; “I had only seven out with me.”

“They are making all the speed they can, brave lads,” said Ulrich gladly.

“Are they your men?” asked Georg. “Are they your men?” he repeated impatiently as Ulrich did not answer.

“No,” said Ulrich with a laugh, the idiotic chattering laugh of a man unstrung with hideous fear.

“Who are they?” asked Georg quickly, straining his eyes to see what the other would gladly not have seen.

“Wolves.”

"The Interlopers" by H.H. Munro ("Saki")

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

Analyze the passage. What effect does the pace mainly have on the story’s ending?

(1 point)
Responses

It creates mystery.
It creates mystery.

It builds suspense.
It builds suspense.

It adds levity.
It adds levity.

It relieves tension.
It relieves tension.

Answer 1

The pace of the passage mainly builds suspense. As the characters transition from a moment of reconciliation and hope for rescue to the sudden realization of danger, the quickening tension in their dialogue and the urgency of their shouts create an intense atmosphere. The shift from waiting and anticipating help to the alarming revelation of wolves approaching compresses time and heightens the sense of imminent threat, making the ending both surprising and impactful. Thus, the correct response is:

It builds suspense.