The correct answer is A. candid.
A candid person is someone who is honest and open, even if what they say is not always pleasant. In this case, the stranger who stayed with the speaker was a ruthless fellow, meaning that he was cruel and unfeeling. The speaker is using the word “candid” to describe the stranger because he was honest about his ruthlessness, even though it was not something that the speaker wanted to hear.
The other options are not correct because they do not accurately describe the stranger. A sympathetic person is someone who feels sorry for others and wants to help them. A cordial person is someone who is friendly and polite. A courteous person is someone who is respectful and considerate. The stranger in this case was not any of these things. He was cruel and unfeeling, and he did not care about the speaker or anyone else.
Here is a more detailed explanation of each option:
- Candid: A candid person is someone who is honest and open, even if what they say is not always pleasant. In this case, the stranger who stayed with the speaker was a ruthless fellow, meaning that he was cruel and unfeeling. The speaker is using the word “candid” to describe the stranger because he was honest about his ruthlessness, even though it was not something that the speaker wanted to hear.
- Sympathetic: A sympathetic person is someone who feels sorry for others and wants to help them. In this case, the stranger who stayed with the speaker was not sympathetic. He was cruel and unfeeling, and he did not care about the speaker or anyone else.
- Cordial: A cordial person is someone who is friendly and polite. In this case, the stranger who stayed with the speaker was not cordial. He was cruel and unfeeling, and he did not care about the speaker or anyone else.
- Courteous: A courteous person is someone who is respectful and considerate. In this case, the stranger who stayed with the speaker was not courteous. He was cruel and unfeeling, and he did not care about the speaker or anyone else.