 All of the following terms describe the people's reaction to the destruction of the Maternite EXCEPT for:
"Sias," they were saying, "the Maternite's gone." Everything has evaporated in Maternite. They were aware that they stood in the midst of an unprecedented happening; indeed, an emergency. They were created so long ago, indeed, that the ignorant believe them to have been constructed by the gods themselves. At such a time, many men feel impelled to make speeches, and one must not be disrespectful. Prayers and supplications were offered to the gods, priests were sent to sacrifice, and finally, as the light of the sun was falling between the pillars, the High Priest of the Maternite Machine was heard. The machines bear the exact number of children each year to balance the number of us whom the gods claim.
 accusatory
 perplexed  panicked  obtuse  accusatory