Which repeated action in "Better Wait Till Martin Comes" shows that John is beginning to get nervous? John watches the cat powder its nose with coal. John hears the cats talking about him to each other. John recalls that the mansion might be haunted. John says his prayers, but faster than before.

John says his prayers, but faster than before.

Explanation:

In one of the stories from The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton and Leo Dillon, the story titled "Better Wait Till Martin Comes" tells the story of how John escaped from the 'haunted' mansion in the plantation house. He knew he was a good man, offering is prayers on time and thus had nothing to fear in that deserted home. But with the constant muttering of the cats near the fireplace and the constant mention of "better wait for Martin" made him believe that there is some danger ahead. SO, he began to offer his prayers faster than before and even tried to divert his mind from it all. This act of prayer unlike his normal manner is indicative of his nervousness.

The suspense in "Better Wait Till Martin Comes" grows when Martin falls through the seat of the chair and becomes stuck. The reader fears for John since each new cat is larger than the last one, and the reader worries that John won't be able to escape once Martin arrives. The situation seems more and more hopeless for John, so it is hilarious when John breaks the suspense by making a funny comment and running away with a chair stuck to his rear.

Explanation: