Enclosed in her bathing machine, Margaret steadied herself against the wall as the contraption was rolled into the ocean. She was eager for her first swim of the 1880 season but was also intent on preserving the utmost decency. She carefully readied herself, adjusting the sleeves and skirt of her bathing suit.
Once her bathing machine had reached its destination, she leaped out its back door into the bracing water. She alternately floated and swam but was ever mindful to remain hidden behind the machine's curtain. Even one gentleman observing her swimming could mean a permanently ruined reputation.
How does the backdrop of Victorian England affect the main character?
A. It makes Margaret appreciate the finer things in life, such as the first swim of the season.
B. It causes Margaret to mistakenly believe there are higher stakes for being seen swimming than there actually are.
C. It forces Margaret to have a highly developed sense of modesty and to therefore take great precautions while swimming.