Question

a retrieved reformation
short story by o. henry
reading comprehension problem
read text carefully!
mr. ralph spencer, the phoenix that arose from jimmy valentines ashes--ashes left by the flame of a sudden and alternative attack of love--remained in elmore, and prospered. he opened a shoe - store and secured a good run of trade.
socially he was also a success, and made many friends. and he accomplished the wish of his heart. he met miss annabel adams, and he came more and more possessed by her charms.
choose the correct answer
read the excerpt. what caused the \flame\ that made jimmy valentine change and stay in elmore?
terrible despair
finding himself trapped
a sudden attack of love

Explanation:

In the excerpt from "A Retrieved Reformation", it's stated that Jimmy Valentine (as Ralph Spencer) was "kissed by the flame of a sudden and alternative attack of love" which made him stay in Elmore. The other options, "Terrible despair" and "Finding himself trapped", don't match the text's description of his motivation. The key phrase about the "flame" being an attack of love points to "A sudden attack of love" as the cause.

Answer:

A sudden attack of love