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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.

THE LIGHTHOUSE LAMP

andemsp;andemsp;The winds came howling down from the north,
andemsp;andemsp;Like a hungry wolf for prey,
andemsp;andemsp;And the bitter sleet went hurtling forth,
(4)andensp;In the pallid face of the day.

andemsp;andemsp;And the snowflakes drifted near and far,
andemsp;andemsp;Till the land was whitely fleeced,
andemsp;andemsp;And the light-house lamp, a golden star,
(8)andensp;Flamed over the waves' white yeast.

andemsp;andemsp;In the room at the foot of the light-house
andemsp;andemsp;Lay mother and babe asleep,
andemsp;andemsp;And little maid Gretchen was by them there,
(12)A resolute watch to keep.

andemsp;andemsp;There were only the three on the light-house isle,
andemsp;andemsp;But father had trimmed the lamp,
andemsp;andemsp;And set it burning a weary while
(16)In the morning's dusk and damp.

andemsp;andemsp;"Long before night I'll be back," he said,
andemsp;andemsp;And his white sail slipped away;
andemsp;andemsp;Away and away to the mainland sped,
(20)But it came not home that day.

andemsp;andemsp;The mother stirred on her pillow's space,
andemsp;andemsp;And moaned in pain and fear,
andemsp;andemsp;Then looked in her little daughter's face
(24)Through the blur of a starting tear.

andemsp;andemsp;"Darling," she whispered, "it's piercing cold,
andemsp;andemsp;And the tempest is rough and wild;
andemsp;andemsp;And you are no laddie strong and bold,
(28)My poor little maiden child.

andemsp;andemsp;"But up aloft there's the lamp to feed,
andemsp;andemsp;Or its flame will die in the dark,
andemsp;andemsp;And the sailor lose in his utmost need
(32)The light of our islet's ark."

andemsp;andemsp;"I'll go," said Gretchen, "a step at a time;
andemsp;andemsp;Why, mother, I'm twelve years old,
andemsp;andemsp;And steady, and never afraid to climb,
(36)And I've learned to do as I'm told."

andemsp;andemsp;Then Gretchen up to the top of the tower,
andemsp;andemsp;Up the icy, smooth-worn stair,
andemsp;andemsp;Went slowly and surely that very hour,
(40)The sleet in her eyes and hair.

andemsp;andemsp;She fed the lamp, and she trimmed it well,
andemsp;andemsp;And its clear light glowed afar,
andemsp;andemsp;To warn of reefs, and of rocks to tell,
(44)This mariner's guiding star.

andemsp;andemsp;And once again when the world awoke
andemsp;andemsp;In the dawn of a bright new day,
andemsp;andemsp;There was joy in the hearts of the fisher folks
(48)Along the stormy bay.

andemsp;andemsp;When the little boats came sailing in
andemsp;andemsp;All safe and sound to the land,
andemsp;andemsp;To the haven the light had helped them win,
(52)By the aid of a child's brave hand.