Read the following passage.

its work was done, and it was brittle and ready to fall and crumple under the freezing air, so soon as the nightfall came. and the huge cacti, that had swollen as we watched them, had long since burst and scattered their spores to the four quarters of the moon. amazing little corner in the universe—the landing place of men!
which word best describes the mood of the passage above?

a. tender
b. threatening
c. romantic
d. bleak