Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorn, and H.P. Lovecrafter
Closer to him is the answer
One great example of suspense in the Hobbit is when Bilbo is in Smaug's smoky, gold encrusted lair, trying to find the sparkling cup, without awakening the dragon. A few times, we see the dragon release a puff of smoke, or stir, and Bilbo stops abruptly, than tiptoes forward quietly. There is so much suspense here while we await his fate!!
The correct answer is B. Father
Before he left the house modifies father because it further explains the father's qualities, that is he is a person that's left the house.
