The correct answer is D. obstinate.
Capricious means unpredictable or changeable, especially in a bad or bad-tempered way.
Helpful means providing assistance or support.
Steadfast means firmly fixed in place or belief.
Understanding means showing or having an ability to understand someone’s feelings or point of view.
In the given sentence, the man is described as being utterly capricious in his dealings with his friends. This means that he is unpredictable and changeable in his behavior towards them. He may be helpful one day and obstinate the next. This makes it difficult for his friends to know what to expect from him and can lead to tension and conflict in their relationships.
The other options are not correct because they do not accurately describe the man’s behavior. Helpful people are always willing to assist others, while steadfast people are firm in their beliefs and actions. Understanding people are able to see things from other people’s perspectives. The man in the sentence does not exhibit any of these qualities.