Answer: I would contend that the right answer is the A) Sad and lonely.
Explanation: Just to elaborate a little on the answer, it can be added that after reading this excerpt it can be inferred that Mrs. Tall is a sad woman, since her eyes were red and swollen, arguably due to the fact that she had been crying. Likewise, it can also be inferred that she is lonely, since she walked alone, after dark, to pick up her son, who was staying with an old woman - perhaps because Mrs. Tall did not have anybody else that could take care of him.
There are no references in the excerpt that suggest that she was angry, proud or upset, among other descriptions. She knocked softly on the gate and her answer was inaudible, probably because she had a low-pitched voice, and that indicates that she was calm and had a humble attitude.
