Read the passage below and answer the question. somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summer’s day; bony mules hitched to hoover carts flicked flies in the sweltering shade of the live oaks on the square. men’s stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. in the excerpt above, the phrase "stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning" suggests that despite the heat, men still dressed up the men in the town were vain men's clothing appeared its best on hot days the men were not accustomed to wearing nice clothes

The correct answer is: despite the heat, men still dressed up.

The auhtor is describing a very hot weather, he does some examples so the readers can imagine it. By mentioning that men used "stiff collars" he shows us that thay are dressed up probably for work. The stiff collar shirts are used in as a formal clothes in our society. By mentioning the time of the day "nine in the morning" it is more obvious that they are going to work, that is the reason that despite the weather they are forced to use those types of clothing.

By using the word "wilted" we can imagine the heat those men were feeling as it is used to describe the process a plant suffers when it is exposed to heat, they dehydrate and become limp and drooping. With the men's sweat the stiff collars are no more stiff.

b and d

explanation:

b. the colonies must seek protection from other nations.