Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Colonel: And the general wants us to make a raid to find out who's come into the line opposite here. There is a pause. Stanhope: I see. When? Colonel: As soon as possible. He said tonight. Stanhope: Oh, but that's absurd! Colonel: I told him so. I said the earliest would be tomorrow afternoon. A surprise daylight raid under a smoke screen from the trench-mortar people. I think daylight best. There's not much moon now, and it's vitally important to get hold of a Boche or two. Stanhope: Quite. Colonel: I suggest sending two officers and ten men. Quite enough for the purpose. Just opposite here there's only seventy yards of No Man's Land. Tonight the trench-mortars can blow a hole in the Boche wire and you can cut a hole in yours. Harrison of the trench-mortars is coming in to dinner with me this evening to discuss everything. I'd like you to come too. Eight o'clock suit you? Stanhope: Very good, sir. Colonel: I'll leave you to select the men. Stanhope: You want me to go with them, sir? Colonel: Oh, no, Stanhope. I – I can't let you go. No. I want one officer to direct the raid and one to make the dash in and collar some Boche. Stanhope: Who do you suggest, sir? Colonel: Well, I suggest Osborne, for one. He's a very level-headed chap. He can direct it. Stanhope: And who else? Colonel: Well, there's Trotter – but he's a bit fat, isn't he? Not much good at dashing in? Stanhope: No. D'you suggest Hibbert? Colonel: Well, what do you think of Hibbert? Stanhope: I don't think so. Colonel: No. There is a pause. Stanhope: Why not send a good sergeant, sir? Colonel: No. I don't think a sergeant. The men expect officers to lead a raid. Stanhope: Yes. There is that. Colonel: As a matter of fact, Stanhope, I'm thinking of that youngster I sent up to you last night. Stanhope: Raleigh? Colonel: Yes. Just the type. Plenty of guts – Stanhope: He's awfully new to it all – Colonel: All to the good. His nerves are sound. Stanhope: It's rotten to send a fellow who's only just arrived. Colonel: Well, who else is there? I could send an officer from another company – Stanhope: (quickly) Oh, Lord, no. We'll do it. Colonel: Then I suggest Osborne to direct the raid and Raleigh to make the dash – with ten good men. We'll meet Harrison at supper and arrange the smoke bombs – and blowing a hole in the wire. You select the men and talk to Osborne and Raleigh about it in the meantime. Stanhope: Very well, sir. Colonel: Better send Osborne and Raleigh down to me in the morning to talk things over. Or better still! – I'll come up here first thing tomorrow morning. Stanhope: Right, sir. Colonel: It's all a damn nuisance; but, after all – it's necessary. Stanhope: I suppose it is. Colonel: Well, so long, Stanhope. I'll see you at eight o'clock. Do you like fish? Stanhope: Fish, sir? Colonel: Yes. We've had some fresh fish sent up from rail head for supper tonight. Stanhope: Splendid, sir! Colonel: Whiting, I think it is. Stanhope: Good! Colonel: Well, bye-bye. What do you think makes this moment in the play so gripping? Support your views with details from Sherriff's writing.

1. (a)What do you think makes this moment in the play so gripping? Support your views with details from Sherriff's writing.[25]