Question

Refer to the excerpt by Charles Lamb. The last sentence, "You may guess what luck generally befalls with such a rusty piece of metal as I am in these new mintings." implies that:

a. Lamb wishes he were luckier with women
b. Lamb is jealous of his friends' marriage
c. most of Lamb's friends' wives haven't approved of him
d. Lamb is deeply saddened by the loss of his friends

Answer 1

The correct answer is C.

He is describing the "minting" process that a man's friends go through when he gets married. During this time, a man's wife speaks with his friends and must approve of the friendship.

Lamb explains that, as he is "such a rusty piece of metal," he does not have much luck during these mintings -- meaning these wives do not approve of him.