Ithink the answer is d, read these lines from the excerpt again: i was too much flattered to make an exposure and throw the merchandise on the angel’s hands. i was hot, vexed, confused, yet still happy, but i hated the other boys for taking such an absorbing interest in the proceedings. these lines from the story show that the other boys want to talk to the shop girl are aware of what the shop girl is doing seem confused by the shop girl hope the narrator is impressing the shop girl

The correct answer is: Hope the narrator is impressing the shop girl.

The narrator is in a situation where he finds himself compelled to talk to the shop girl - probably pushed by his friends to do so. When he describes himself with adjectives such as vexed, confused and happy, the contrast of the latter with the first two shows he is attempting to make an impression - to make believe feeling something he is really not.

When it is pointed out the other boys are "absorbing interest in the proceedings", it is implied they are looking forward to see how the conversation between the narrator and the shop girl will turn out.