The answer to the question "Who guides the children?" is option 'D', a dominie in gray.


The poem "The Village Blacksmith" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow describes the life of a blacksmith and the values he instills in his children. The specific line that mentions the guide of the children is "And children coming home from school / Look in at the open door; / They love to see the flaming forge, / And hear the bellows roar, / And catch the burning sparks that fly / Like chaff from a threshing-floor."

The word "dominie" refers to a schoolmaster or a teacher. The phrase "in gray" suggests that the dominie is wearing gray clothing, which was traditionally associated with teachers or scholars. Therefore, the answer to the question is option 'D', a dominie in gray.

The other options provided in the question are not mentioned in the poem and do not relate to the role of guiding the children in this context. Here is a brief explanation of why the other options are incorrect:

- Option 'A', the speaker: While the speaker in the poem describes the blacksmith and his work, there is no indication that the speaker is directly guiding the children.
- Option 'B', the Sun: The Sun is not mentioned in the poem as a guide for the children. The focus of the poem is on the blacksmith and his forge.
- Option 'C', the steeples: The steeples (tall, pointed structures on top of churches) do not have a role in guiding the children in this poem.

In conclusion, the correct answer is option 'D', a dominie in gray, as the poem suggests that the children are guided by a schoolmaster or teacher.