I've read the book or story and since there are no answer choices, I'm gonna just tell you what I think ok. The man is hitting the narrator on the head with an umbrella because he feels the need to, and soon the narrator learns that he can't live without it. The moral of the story is basically teaching a lesson
Please include an image so we can answer the questions, thank you!
The answer is B. It takes place in the past. Fork Pitt was built in the 1700's, so that is an easy clue that it takes place in the past.