Final answer:
The head of the block likely communicated the results of the selection process, which was a time of significant anxiety for those involved, especially in situations akin to slavery. The outcome often meant separation from family and a fate in the hands of cruel individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The head of the block, after the selection process was over, likely told those who remained that they would either face a continuation of their current circumstances or a change in their status, depending on the context provided by the excerpts. This is a reference to a historical event, potentially related to slave auctions or other instances in history where individuals were chosen or 'selected' for certain fates or duties. The passage given speaks to the high level of anxiety and dread associated with such a selection process, particularly in the context of slavery.
In the context of the third passage, it's clear that the slaves endured immense emotional turmoil during the valuation and division process, wherein they had no control over their destinies. They deeply feared separation from loved ones and the brutality that might await them, especially the possibility of falling into the hands of the cruel Master Andrew.