In the story Little Women, one family brings breakfast to another on Christmas morning. Read this passage and then answer the question that follows: A poor, bare, miserable room it was, with broken windows, no fire, ragged bedclothes, a sick mother, wailing baby, and a group of pale, hungry children cuddled under one old quilt, trying to keep warm.

How the big eyes stared and the blue lips smiled as the girls went in.

"Ach, mein Gott! It is good angels come to us!" said the poor woman, crying for joy.

What can you infer about the sick woman and her children from this text?

A They were expecting the visitors and had been waiting.
B They were frightened by the visitors and tried to hide.
C They were angered by the arrival of visitors with gifts.
D They were surprised but grateful to see their visitors.