Question

the marking
1 newt’s feet hurt from standing at the register, but he smiled at the stranger-woman who approached the counter. she held up her hand in greeting, showing him the mark on her palm. her mark identified her as miserly, as did the meager selection of goods in her basket. newt hurried to calculate her bill, careful not to make a mistake. then, when she wasn’t looking, he dropped an extra handful of fresh herbs into her basket.
2 his older sister, cybil, came up behind him as the customer left. “you can’t be giving away the merchandise,” she warned.
why does the story end without revealing newt’s mark?
although newt knows the mark he wants, he hasn’t been able to tell anyone.
newt and the reader already have an idea about what his mark will mean.
newt has not settled on an image in his mind, so his mark cannot be known.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the story: Newt's actions (giving extra herbs to a miserly customer despite his sister's warning) show his kind and generous nature. The story implies that his Mark's meaning (reflecting his character) is already clear to both Newt and the reader through his deeds, so revealing the Mark isn't necessary. The first option is irrelevant as the question is about why it's not revealed, not about telling others. The third option is incorrect because his actions suggest his character (and thus the Mark's meaning) is evident, not that he hasn't settled on an image.

Answer:

Newt and the reader already have an idea about what his Mark will mean.