Read the passage from "Young Goodman Brown,” in which Goodman Brown is speaking with the forest traveler. "Friend," said he, stubbornly, "my mind is made up. Not another step will I budge on this errand. What if a wretched old woman do choose to go to the devil when I thought she was going to heaven: is that any reason why I should quit my dear Faith and go after her?"

"You will think better of this by and by," said his acquaintance, composedly. "Sit here and rest yourself a while; and when you feel like moving again, there is my staff to help you along."

In the context of the allegory, what is the traveler’s most likely motive for giving Goodman Brown his staff?

a. He wants Goodman Brown to find his way home.
b. He wants to tempt Goodman Brown with evil.
c. He wants Goodman Brown to remain faithful.
d. He wants to teach Goodman Brown about the forest.