Read the passage given below and choose the correct options that can replace the underlined portions. When the king \[\underline{\mathbf{Q8}}\] them what they \[\underline{\mathbf{Q9}}\], they \[\underline{\mathbf{Q10}}\] they \[\underline{\mathbf{Q11}}\] away the clock to mend it. They said, "We \[\underline{\mathbf{Q12}}\] the clock \[\underline{\mathbf{Q13}}\], as it \[\underline{\mathbf{Q14}}\] to make noises, and the longer hand will \[\underline{\mathbf{Q15}}\] down sometime soon.

• A. say
• B. said
• C. Will say
• D. have said