Final answer:
Without specific context, the reason for the father's delay in getting into the basement in the narrative question cannot be pinpointed. However, the family dynamics, domestic responsibilities, and sense of urgency from the provided excerpts suggest that tasks such as digging for a new cellar, preparing a new barn, and issues around moving from a home might contribute to such a delay.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "What took their father so long to get into the basement?" potentially pertains to a scenario from a literary work. Without more context, it is challenging to provide an exact answer. However, the various excerpts provided seem to depict family dynamics, responsibilities, and a sense of urgency related to certain actions or decisions.
Common themes explored in these excerpts include the labor involved in setting up a home, such as digging for a cellar or preparing for an addition like a new barn. Another theme is the unexpected and perhaps rushed departure from a home, as indicated by the advice to take "nothing, just cash, jewelry, a change of clothes."
The mention of family members' engagement in tasks such as digging, preparing for school, and discussing the allocation of resources for a new barn versus a decent house to live in, all point to the various reasons that might delay one's entry to the basement.
It could be inferred that the father's delayed entry to the basement is related to the ongoing preoccupations and tensions highlighted throughout these narrative moments.