Which line best establishes the matter-of-fact tone at the beginning of the story?
a. on the 25th march, 18 , a very strange occurrence took place in st petersburg.
b. . on his sign-board, on which was depicted the head of a gentleman with one cheek soaped, the only inscription to be read was, "blood-letting done here."
c. a nose, an actual nose; and, moreover, it seemed to be the nose of an acquaintance!
d. he put in his finger, and drew out a nose!