Ineed a note about a confusing moment

In edgar allen poe's "masque of the red death", what object is kept in the black room?

The book the sweet-hereafter; in section four, which of the following is the extended metaphor for nichole's mental state. a) the room her father built her from the sun-room b) the wheel chair she sits in c)the computer from mr. stephens d) the teddy bear from her childhood

What does water to a paste meaning?