Question

leaves from the notebook of an emigrant between new york and san francisco monday. - it was, if i remember rightly, five oclock when we were all signalled to be present at the ferry depot of the railroad...there was a babel of bewildered men, women, and children. the wretched little booking - office, and the baggage - room, which was not much larger, were crowded thick with emigrants, and were heavy and rank with the atmosphere of dripping clothes. open carts full of bedding stood by the half - hour in the rain. the officials loaded each other with recriminations. a bearded, mildewed little man, whom i take to have been an emigrant agent, was all over the place, his mouth full of brimstone, blustering and interfering. it was plain that the whole system, if system there was, had utterly broken down under the strain of so many passengers. from across the plains by robert louis stevenson which does “his mouth full of brimstone” most likely mean? 1. the man had brimstone filings in his teeth. 2. the man spoke in an allegorical and elevated manner. 3. the man spoke in a fiery and vulgar manner. 4. the man had a sulphuric stench emanating from his mouth.

Explanation:

Brimstone is often associated with fire and brimstone preaching which is fiery and intense. The context shows the man is blustering and interfering, so "his mouth full of brimstone" likely means he spoke in a fiery and vulgar manner.

Answer:

1. The man spoke in a fiery and vulgar manner.