What is the meaning of the highlighted portion of this passage from "Learning to Read and Write"? "From this time I understood the words ~abolition~ and ~abolitionist,~ and always drew near when that word was spoken, expecting to hear something of importance to myself and fellow-slaves. The light broke in upon me by degrees."

A. Douglass had trouble getting the courage to escape.
B. Douglass was reluctant to admit that his masters were evil people.
C. The desire to be free came gradually, over time.
D. The dread of abolitionists kept Douglass in slavery for years.

Question

What is the meaning of the highlighted portion of this passage from "Learning to Read and Write"? "From this time I understood the words ~abolition~ and ~abolitionist,~ and always drew near when that word was spoken, expecting to hear something of importance to myself and fellow-slaves. The light broke in upon me by degrees." 


 A. Douglass had trouble getting the courage to escape.  
 B. Douglass was reluctant to admit that his masters were evil people.  
 C. The desire to be free came gradually, over time.  
 D. The dread of abolitionists kept Douglass in slavery for years.