Mercutio: Where the devil should this Romeo be? Came he not home to-night? Benvolio: Not to his father's; I spoke with his man. Mercutio: Why that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline, Torments him so, that he will sure run mad. Benvolio: Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet, Hath sent a letter to his father's house. Mercutio: A challenge, on my life. Benvolio: Romeo will answer it. Mercutio: Any man that can write may answer a letter. Benvolio: Nay, he will answer the letter's master, how he dares, being dared. —Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare Which word best describes the mood of this passage?