Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

"I’ve been afraid for about a week," returned Poole, doggedly disregarding the question, "and I can bear it no more."

The man’s appearance amply bore out his words; his manner was altered for the worse; and except for the moment when he had first announced his terror, he had not once looked the lawyer in the face. Even now, he sat with the glass of wine untasted on his knee, and his eyes directed to a corner of the floor. "I can bear it no more," he repeated.

How does this passage develop the theme "Secrets are a heavy burden"?

a. Mr. Poole shows signs of physical and emotional distress.
b. Mr. Poole drinks wine to deal with his feelings of fear.
c. Mr. Utterson is frightened of Mr. Poole’s behavior.
d. Mr. Utterson listens to Mr. Poole’s feelings of concern.