Question

which excerpt from \lather and nothing else.\ is the best example of fast - paced narration?
the lather was drying on his face. i must hurry. through the mirror, i took a look at the street.
\very good,\ i answered, turning my attention now to the brush. the man closed his eyes wearily and awaited the cool caress of the lather.
meanwhile he was taking off his cartridge - studded belt with the pistol holster suspended from it. he put it on a hook in the wardrobe and hung his cap above it.
he leaned back in the chair when he saw the brush in my hand, full of lather. i had not yet put the sheet on him.

Explanation:

Fast - paced narration often has short, quick - moving sentences that don't dwell on details. The first option has short sentences like "The lather was drying on his face. I must hurry. Through the mirror, I took a look at the street." which move the action along quickly. The second option has more detailed description of the man's action ("closed his eyes wearily") which slows the pace. The third option has a detailed description of him taking off his belt and hanging his cap. The fourth option has a description of his leaning back and the sheet not being on him, which is more descriptive and less fast - paced.

Answer:

The first option: "The lather was drying on his face. I must hurry. Through the mirror, I took a look at the street."