It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half concealing. Her husband's friend Richards was there, too, near her. It was he who had been in the newspaper office when intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently Mallard's name leading the list of "killed." He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram, and had hastened to forestall any less careful, less tender friend in bearing the sad message.

Question

She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms. When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her.

There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul.
What does the text suggest about the relationship between Mrs. Mallard and her husband?(1 point)
Responses

It was marked by deep love and affection.
It was marked by deep love and affection.

It was one of distance and detachment.
It was one of distance and detachment.

It was characterized by frequent conflict.
It was characterized by frequent conflict.

It was a typical marriage with mutual respect.
It was a typical marriage with mutual respect.

Answer 1

The text suggests that the relationship between Mrs. Mallard and her husband is one of distance and detachment. Although it does not explicitly describe the nature of their relationship beyond the tragedy of his death, her immediate reaction to the news, followed by her desire to be alone, indicates a complexity that may point to a lack of deep emotional connection. Therefore, the best response is:

It was one of distance and detachment.