Question

• look again at lines 47 - 50. which detail builds more tension after mr. white has pulled the monkey’s paw out of the fire? select the correct detail in the passage.

(47) her husband drew the talisman from his pocket, and all three burst into laughter as the seargent - major, with a look of alarm on his face, caught him by the arm.
(48) “if you must wish,” he said gruffly, “wish for something sensible.”
(49) mr. white dropped it back in his pocket, and placing chairs, motioned his friend to the table. in the business of supper the talisman was partly forgotten, and afterward the three sat listening in an enthralled fashion to a second installment of the soldier’s adventures in india.
(50) “if the tale about the monkey’s paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us,” said herbert, as the door closed behind their guest, just in time to catch the last train, “we shan’t make much out of it.”

Explanation:

The Sergeant - Major's alarmed look and his cautionary statement "If you must wish, wish for something sensible" create an atmosphere of unease and anticipation, building tension after Mr. White retrieves the monkey's paw.

Answer:

(48) "If you must wish," he said gruffly, "wish for something sensible."