1. Vindication
2. Monotonous
3. Intricate
4. Disdain
5. Skedaddle
6. Impregnable
7. Extravagant
8. Persistent
9. Intimate
10. Resolutely
11. Elaborate
12. Lurid
Okay, so somber basically means, "having or conveying a feeling of deep seriousness and sadness". So I believe that (D) "He found the mother and the children seated around the fire". The line just seems omniscient because it implies that the family is gathered to discuss something important, which may not necessarily be pleasant.
He uses sarcasm to point out people’s ideas and show just how incorrect and off they were.
The correct answer choices are:
Atkinson unsuccessfully tries to stab the narrator.
And-
The clock strikes midnight while Withencroft is still writing.