Your answer would be D) Simile.
This is because the clause compares the loneliness to a cloud, and similes are used to compare things, like "The food was as hot as the sun" or "The school was like a zoo".
I hope this helps!
I'd assume headlines, although some answer choices could lead to a different conclusion
The excerpt that tells the White family's uncertainty on the Major's story would be when Mr. White said:
"If the tale about the monkey's paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us," said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest, just in time to catch the last train, "we shan't make much out of it." This is because they are not sure what is true about the information that a stranger told them in the train.