What does the excerpt from anton chekhov's the proposal indicate about the lomov and chubukov families? lomov: i shall try to be brief. you must know, honoured natalya stepanovna, that i have long, since my childhood, in fact, had the privilege of knowing your family. my late aunt and her husband, from whom, as you know, i inherited my land, always had the greatest respect for your father and your late mother. the lomovs and the chubukovs have always had the most friendly, and i might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other. and, as you know, my land is a near neighbour of yours. you will remember that my oxen meadows touch your birchwoods.

a. they are among the richest families in their area.

b. they used to share a positive relationship with each other.

c. they have always been jealous of each other's estate.

d. they maintain a healthy bond for strictly business reasons.