Question

Which sentence is correct?

Of the manatees, our river guide said simply: "They are a disappearing breed."
Of the manatees, our river guide said, simply "They are a disappearing breed."
Of the manatees, our river guide said: simply "They are a disappearing breed."
Of the manatees: our river guide said simply "They are a disappearing breed."

I think its B, does anyone protest? Thanks.

Answer 1

Why do you think the correct answer is B? o:

Answer 2

I'm pretty sire it's A. The way I would've written it, would be to put a comma after both manatees and simply, but as far as I remember it is correct to use a colon in this type of situation.

Answer 3

It was A.

As the contrary question similar to it followed by that, logically the other would b the same.

Although when it also comes to writing I wouldn't use colons, pretty much ever.