 All of the following terms describe the people's reaction to the destruction of the Maternite EXCEPT for:
It was a day soft and clear; a day accepted by the young, cherished by we old. "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. By this time, unfortunately, many of the Conclave had departed for home and supper. Yet perhaps it is for the best, for those left were the most earnest and intelligent. Know, then, that once granted a few cells of Prelife, it is an easy matter for the Maternite Machine to add more and more; thus assuring us, as has always been, a continuous source of Prelife to be born by the Generating Machine as children. The machines bear the exact number of children each year to balance the number of us whom the gods claim. "But now," he continued, however, with less assurance and indeed with even a stutter here and there, "an unprecedented situation has arisen. For the M-Maternite Machine has actually failed."
 accusatory
 perplexed  panicked  obtuse  accusatory