In the fourth stanza, Gorman mentions "such a terrifying hour". What
does she mean by this

It means the moment when democracy was threatened was a terrible time, because it threatens the whole country.

Explanation:

Gorman says that we did not expect to be heirs to such a terrible time. That hour is the time when democracy and order were threatened in the country, which threatened the life and freedom of all citizens. A "terrifying hour" refers to a time that will have extremely negative results and that will accompany people for a long time.

d.) then bernice winced as marjorie tossed her own hair over her shoulders and began to twist it slowly into two long blond braids until in her cream-colored negligée she looked like a delicate painting of some saxon princess. fascinated, bernice watched the braids grow. heavy and luxurious they were, moving under the supple fingers like restive snakes—and to bernice remained this relic and the curling iron and a to-morrow full of eyes.

to not go near anything hot