(26) "No. Thanks all the same." (27) Then quickly in another, warmer tone: "I do mean it. (28) Thanks, a

thousand times, Margaret. (29) I'm really awfully grateful, but-you see, it's like this, I'm not going to be

there at all."

(30) The visiting girl, standing in relief, like old walnut against the buff-colored wall, darted a quick glance

at Helga. (31) Plainly she was curious. (32) But she only said formally: "Oh, then you are sick." (33) For

something there was about Helga which discouraged questionings.

with Naxos. 9

(34) No, Helga wasn't sick. (35) Not physically. (36) She was merely disgusted. (37) Fed up with Naxos.

(38) If that could be called sickness. (39) The truth was that she had made up her mind to leave. (40) That

very day.

Adapted from Nella Larsen, Quicksand. Originally published in 1928.

Question

In the passage, Margaret indicates that she's concerned when she first sees Helga because she worries that

Helga

A.

will be late to meet her students

B.has allowed her room to become messy

C.is upset with another teacher

D.has decided to join the English department

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