The headmistress of the boarding school was a buttoned-up, austere woman with a tightly wound, slate-gray bun at the top of her head and clunky black shoes on her feet. She made sure that our uniforms were complete at inspection every morning, and if one of us dared to wear a warmer pair of socks than the thin, oatmeal-colored ones we were issued, there would be trouble. What does the use of the word austere imply?

This question is missing the options. I've found them online. They are the following:

What does the use of the word austere imply?

A) that the headmistress is concerned about her students

B) that the headmistress is not a kind person

C) that the headmistress is kind to some students

D) that the headmistress is uncomfortable

The word austere implies:

B) that the headmistress is not a kind person .

Explanation:

The adjective "austere" is used to refer to someone whose appearance, attitude or manner is severe or strict. Even if we did not know that definition, we could figure out the meaning by using context clues. Notice how the author, after using the word "austere", moves on to describe the woman's actions. She is strict when it comes to the students' uniforms. She punishes them if they are not in accordance to the rules. Therefore, she is clearly a rigid - and certainly unkind - person.

the emperor is made to look inferior next to faustus's power.