Question

the land of red apples by zitkala - ša (excerpt)
(1) there were eight in our party of bronzed children who were going east with the missionaries. among us were three young braves, two tall girls, and three little ones, judewin, thowin, and i
(2) we had been very impatient to start on our journey to the red apple country, which, we were told, lay a little beyond the great circular horizon of the western prairie. under a sky of rosy apples we dreamt of roaming as freely and happily as we had chased the cloud - shadows on the dakota plains. we had anticipated much pleasure from a ride on the iron horse, but the throngs or staring palefaces disturbed and troubled us.
(3) on the train, fair women, with tottering babies on each arm, stopped their haste and scrutinized the children of absent mothers. large men, with heavy bundles in their hands, halted near by, and riveted their glassy blue eyes upon us.
(4) i sank deep into the corner of my seat, for i resented being watched. directly in front of me, children who were no larger than i hung themselves upon the backs of their seats, with their bold white faces toward me. sometimes they took their forefingers out of their mouths and pointed at my moccasined feet. their mothers, instead of reproving such rude curiosity, looked closely at me, and attracted their childrens further notice to my blanket. this embarrassed me, and kept me constantly on the verge of tears.
(5) i sat perfectly still, with my eyes downcast, daring only now and then to shoot long glances around me. chancing to turn to the window at my side, i was quite breathless upon seeing one familiar object. it was the telegraph pole which strode by at short paces. very near my
select the correct answer
read the excerpt and look at this dictionary entry for the word rivet
(3) on the train, fair women, with tottering babies on each arm, stopped their haste and scrutinized the children of absent mothers. large men, with heavy bundles in their hands, halted near by, and riveted their glassy blue eyes upon us.
rivet
verb (used with object), riv - et - ed, riv - et - ing
1 to fasten with a rivet or rivets
2 to hammer or spread out the end of (a pin, bolt, etc.) in order to form a head and secure something; clinch
3 to fasten or fix firmly
4 to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly
which definition best represents the meaning of riveted as it is used in paragraph 3?
a. definition 2
b. definition 1
c. definition 4
d. definition 3

Explanation:

In paragraph 3, "riveted their glassy blue eyes upon us" means they held their eyes firmly on the children. This aligns with definition 4 which is to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly.

Answer:

C. definition 4