Final answer:
The figurative language and similes used in the beginning of "A Visit of Charity" depict a slow-moving environment, indicated by the silent and secretive actions and lethargic descriptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the question of whether things seem to be moving slowly or quickly in the beginning of the story "A Visit of Charity," the use of figurative language and simile in the descriptions of the room where the elderly ladies live suggest a slow-paced environment. For example, the narrative describes activities and settings shrouded in gloom, with characters silently and secretly going about their duties or spying, contributing to a static, trance-like atmosphere. Moreover, phrases indicating slow movement, such as a person leaning against iron bars and looking at hills through clouds, or a woman resting often to be comforted by the moon, provide textual evidence of a slow pace.