Superlative means the greatest form (or biggest form) so the answer is C. soonest
The correct matching of the words to their meanings is:
1. The quality of being fair or just.
2. The unjust or prejudicial treatment
3. Deliberately cruel or violent
4. Freeing of someone from slavery
5. Dishonest and likely to do illegal things
Answer:
This could mean/refer to as to if they don't get in trouble.
Explanation:
As they are on a boat, the captain is "soothing his children" they will "get ashore..." with a tone of little hope as suggested in the second stanza perceived as by someone else such as "the oiler" and "the cook".