He paused a little; then kneeling in the pulpit's bows, folded his large brown hands across his chest, uplifted his closed eyes, and offered a prayer so deeply devout that he seemed kneeling and praying at the bottom of the sea. what is implied here by the mention of father mapple dwelling "at the bottom of the sea"? a) he is metaphorically described in this manner to convey that he is about to die. b) he is metaphorically described in this manner to show the mystical heaviness of his devotion. c) he is metaphorically described in this manner to make the reader think that his faith is a sham. d) he is metaphorically described in this manner to show how his faith is going to make him spiritually drown.