Manifest destiny is the 19th century doctrine that believes in
a. imperialistic expansion as a necessary and benevolent action
b. constructing train routes as a necessary technological advancement in the west
c. the equality of native americans
d. all of the above

The Answer is

a.  imperialistic expansion as a necessary and benevolent action

d.) then bernice winced as marjorie tossed her own hair over her shoulders and began to twist it slowly into two long blond braids until in her cream-colored negligée she looked like a delicate painting of some saxon princess. fascinated, bernice watched the braids grow. heavy and luxurious they were, moving under the supple fingers like restive snakes—and to bernice remained this relic and the curling iron and a to-morrow full of eyes.

the positive connotations of the words "pretty," "quiet," and "silence" give the excerpt a tone of nervousness. i think its this