Read the paragraph from the passage.

The distant howling of a pack of wolves or the hooting of
an owl in the river bottom frightened me, and I nestled into
my mother's lap. She added some dry sticks to the open
fire, and the bright flames leaped into the faces of the old
folks as they sat around the great circle.
How does the author's word choice affect the tone?

A. It creates an anxious tone.

B. It creates an affectionate tone.

C. It creates an excited tone.

D. It creates a watchful tone.