An ironic tone can be heard in the line __________.
a. "They only live to amuse themselves. . . ."
b. "My own sex, I hope, will excuse me, if I treat them like rational creatures. . . ."
c. "I wish also to steer clear of an error which many respectable writers have fallen into. . . ."
d. "Many individuals have more sense than their male relatives. . . ."