Q: he heard what seemed to be a whisper in his left ear . very clearly , he soundlessly replied . i 'll need to know exactly when those people throw the torches at the ships around us . i do n't want to worry you , so you should know that this rainstorm wo n't be very big . it 'll rain on those ships , but it wo n't rain anyplace else , and it 's only going to rain long enough to put out the fire coming from the _ ... Fill the blank.
A: blank is torches

Q: '' there are but four more ribs to add , and then the gumming , and you shall have your own birch bark canoe , '' he said . caleb groaned inwardly . gumming the seams on mallett 's canoe had quickly displaced picking stone during mud season as his least favorite chore . there was no doubt in his mind that it was worth the effort , but that did n't make it any more pleasant . captain mallett interrupted his ruminations , saying , '' let us be off to find a quiet table , then , _ ... Fill the blank.
A: blank is caleb

Q: '' well , lashonda , most of us are out at lunch right now , and i 'm only an intern . '' lashonda gritted her teeth . she should have expected that . '' i can try to answer your questions , or , if you like , i could just set up an appointment for your employer to come in and talk to us . '' baffled , lashonda asked , '' my _ ... Fill the blank.
A:
blank is employer