Read the paragraph. My brother and I pulled into the driveway. I peered up and thought it was suspicious that every shade in the house was drawn. The house had been unusually dark for early evening. As my brother unlocked the front door, I heard some hushed whispers. Suddenly, about ten of my friends and my parents jumped out and yelled, “Surprise!” Which is the best replacement for the underlined sentence?
a. The house was unusually dark for early evening.
b. The house will be unusually dark for early evening.
c. The house has been unusually dark for early evening.
d. The house was being unusually dark for early evening.