Read paragraph 18.

She understood. Under the trees in Washington Square, she found herself desperately reaching back into the past. She had been older than he then in Ohio. Now she was not young at all. Bill was still young.

Which word best describes Mary in this excerpt?

A.
insecure

B.
conceited

C.
excited

D.
courageous

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
A. insecure

She’s anxious about her age and relationship to Bill—“desperately reaching back into the past” and noting “Now she was not young at all. Bill was still young” shows self-doubt and concern, not pride, excitement, or bravery.