Often, the only source of heat in a new england farmhouse was in the kitchen.

Often, the only source of heat in a New England farmhouse was "Fireplace" in the kitchen.
In colonial farm houses there used to be a big hall which was used for cooking for the whole family. People fancied living in large groups on farms as it had benefits of running the farm more conveniently. The farm houses were not much comfortable, on winter nights the whole family gathered around the fireplace for heat and food and an environment of storytelling was prevalent.

the answer is d trust me

this means that germany had to pay the allied countries. reparations are/is essentially payment for something that they have done wrong, so after ww1, germany was forced to pay reparations so they could replenish the allied countries resources' that they had lost during the war.