Read the excerpt from "Marie Curie and the Discovery of Radioactivity."

There it was—a big, heavy wagon, like the ones that brought much-needed coal for their lab’s dilapidated stove. But this wagon carried a far more precious and exciting load.

How do the words precious and exciting contrast with the word dilapidated to affect the author's tone in the passage?


(a)The author is scornful toward the Curies for spending so much time working in their lab.

(b)The author is critical toward the Curies for not spending enough time working in their lab.

(c)The author is amused by the Curies' ability to work under these conditions.

(d)The author admires the Curies' ability to do important work in poor conditions.