Question

\letters of a woman homesteader,\ 1908
elinore pruitt stewart

dear mrs. coney, --

are you thinking i am lost, like the babes in the wood? well, i am not and im sure the robins would have the time of their lives getting leaves to cover me out here. i am way up close to the forest reserve of utah, within half a mile of the line, sixty miles from the railroad. i was twenty - four hours on the train and two days on the stage, and oh, those two days! the snow was just be - ginning to melt and the mud was about the worst i ever heard of.

the first stage we tackled was just about as rickety as it could very well be and i had to sit with the driver, who was a mormon and so handsome that i was not a bit offended when he insisted on making love all the way, especially after he told me that he was a widower mormon. but, of course, as i had no chaperone i looked very fierce (not that that was very difficult with the wind and mud as allies) and told him my actual opinion of mormons in general and particular.

meantime my new employer, mr. stewart, sat upon a stack of baggage and was dreadfully concerned about something he calls his \tookie,\ but i am unable to tell you what that is. the road, being so muddy, was full of ruts and the stage acted as if it had the hiccoughs and made us all talk as though we were affected in the same way. once mr. stewart asked me if i did not think it a \gey duir trip.\ i told him he could call it gay if he wanted to, but it didnt seem very hilarious to me. every time the stage struck a rock or a rut mr. stewart would \hoot,\ until i began to wish we would come to a hollow tree or a hole in the ground so he could go in with the rest of the owls.

at last we \arriv,\ and everything is just lovely for me. i have a very, very comfortable situation and mr. stewart is absolutely no trouble, for as soon as he has his meals he

what would be the best way to characterize elinore ruperts attitude towards her experiences, as related in this passage?
a sad wonderment
b elated excitement
c amused contentment
d befuddled amazement

Explanation:

To determine Elinore Rupert's attitude, we analyze her tone and descriptions. She describes challenges (like muddy roads, rickety stage) with a light - hearted tone (e.g., "the robins would have the time of their lives getting leaves to cover me", humorous remarks about the driver and Mr. Stewart's "hoot"). She also says "everything is just lovely" at the end, showing contentment along with amusement at the situations. "Sad wonderment" (A) is incorrect as there's no sadness. "Elated excitement" (B) is too intense; she's not overly excited, just content and amused. "Befuddled amazement" (D) is wrong as she's not confused or amazed in a bewildered way. So "amused contentment" (C) fits best.

Answer:

C. amused contentment