Question

\the bet\ is an 1889 short story by anton chekhov. in the story, a banker is described as being very upset about something: ______ which quotation from \the bet\ most effectively illustrates the claim?

○ \then the banker cautiously broke the seals off the door and put the key in the keyhole.\

○ \it struck three oclock, the banker listened; everyone was asleep in the house and nothing could be heard outside but the rustling of the chilled trees.\

○ \the banker, spoilt and frivolous, with millions beyond his reckoning, was delighted at the bet.\

○ \when the banker got home he lay on his bed, but his tears and emotion kept him for hours from sleeping.\

Explanation:

To determine which quotation shows the banker being very upset, we analyze each option:

• The first option describes an action (breaking seals, putting key) with no indication of upset.
• The second option is about the time, silence, and tree rustling—no emotion of upset.
• The third option says the banker was "delighted" at the bet, which is the opposite of upset.
• The fourth option states the banker's "tears and emotion kept him... from sleeping," which clearly shows he is upset.

Answer:

D. "When [the banker] got home he lay on his bed, but his tears and emotion kept him for hours from sleeping."