What were the parts of a ship in the 1600’s?

In figure 4 of the telephone components what do the labels lettered a to e

When mrs. jameson says "it (the desert) won't leave you cold," what does she mean?

With raghu in pursuit of the other kids,the innocent game of hide and seek in anita desai games of twlight almost resembles with the hunt which three parts of the excerpt make the game sound like a hunt ?