Question

which sentence from the excerpt most emphasizes the main character’s private nature? mrs. hall lit the fire and left him there while she went to prepare him a meal with her own hands. a guest to stop at iping in the wintertime was an unheard - of piece of luck, let alone a guest who was no \haggler,\ and she was resolved to show herself worthy of her good fortune. as soon as the bacon was well under way, and millie, her lymphatic aid, had been brisked up a bit by a few deftly chosen expressions of contempt, she carried the cloth, plates, and glasses into the parlour and began to lay them with the utmost eclat. although the fire was burning up briskly, she was surprised to see that her visitor still wore his hat and coat, standing with his back to her and staring out of the window at the falling snow in the yard. his gloved hands were clasped behind him, and he seemed to be lost in thought.

Explanation:

To determine the sentence emphasizing the main character's private nature, we analyze each:

• The first focuses on Mrs. Hall's actions.
• The next explains her motivation.
• Then her preparation.
• The key sentence: "Although the fire was burning up briskly, she was surprised to see that her visitor still wore his hat and coat, standing with his back to her and staring out of the window at the falling snow in the yard. His gloved hands were clasped behind him, and he seemed to be lost in thought." This shows his detachment (wearing hat/coat indoors, avoiding interaction, lost in thought) – traits of a private, withdrawn person.

Answer:

Although the fire was burning up briskly, she was surprised to see that her visitor still wore his hat and coat, standing with his back to her and staring out of the window at the falling snow in the yard. His gloved hands were clasped behind him, and he seemed to be lost in thought.