1. What various kinds of life are mentioned in the opening paragraphs? Why does Bagnold bring these to the reader's attention?

2. What is common in the descriptions of Velvet's sisters? In what ways does Bagnold individualize the sisters?

3. Why does Mrs. Brown not like to talk about her great achievement of twenty years before? How does her former experience serve her when Velvet gains worldwide attention?

4. How is Velvet's love for horses first introduced? Is this effective?

5. Why is Donald so appealing to the reader?

6. Referring to chapter 5, discuss the tie between dream and reality. Is Mr. Cellini convincing as a character?

7. Is Velvet's string of successes believable? Why or why not? Is it possible to make good luck "happen"?

8. In entering the Grand National Race, are Mi and Velvet being ethical?

Should Velvet have been disqualified, even though she won the race?

9. What strategy...