It means that you are aware and are paying attention.
The correct answer is B. I kept my workshop of filthy creation; my eyeballs were starting from their sockets in attending to the details of my employment (38).
When it comes to Gothic stories, most of them are rather dark, mysterious, eerie, gloomy, scary, etc. Option B depicts such a mood perfectly - by mentioning things such as <em>filthy creation, eyeballs starting from their sockets, </em>etc. the mood characteristic of Gothic novels and stories is perfectly captured.
