2reasons to explore the mainland rather than an island?

Which three sentences in this excerpt from arthur conan doyle's "the contest" suggest that the author's tone is mocking?

However, the idea of real-life people living in what would become the united states for thousands of years before columbus ever left spain never dawned on me. what would be the best way to revise this sentence for greater clarity? a) however, the fact that columbus left spain thousands of years after people settled what would become the united states never dawned on me. b) it never dawned on me, however, the idea of real-life people living in what would become the united states for thousands of years before columbus ever left spain. c) however, the fact that people were already living in what would become the united states for thousands of years before columbus ever left spain never dawned on me. d) however, the idea never dawned on me that long before columbus ever left spain, real-life people lived for thousands of years in what would become the united states.

Nthis excerpt from act v of shakespeare's romeo and juliet, friar laurence's letter to romeo is not delivered due to circumstances beyond his control. what is the conflict in the scene?