Connecting To Characters: it works

So, one of the questions on your reading check was: Why does Tim avoid Mr. Heron after the letter incident? Do you think it's because Tim feels:
A. Scared
B. Embarrassed
C. Angry
D. Confused
 Write down the letter.



Now, if you feel pretty confident about your response, good. But it doesn't mean you chose the best answer. Let's do a short "connecting to character" exercise to ensure we are basing our inferences on something more substantial than just "a feeling."  The best inferences are a combination of text info and your background knowledge/ experiences.

So let's bring in the text. Tim originally thinks delivering this letter is a pretty big deal. He thinks it'll bring him glory and give him something to boast about. He indeed wants this pretty bad. He even goes behind his father's back. Alas, The letter does not make it:  his encounter with Betsy makes sure of that. Furthermore, the letter contained nothing of real importance. It was just test to see if Tim was a trustworthy messenger. Whoops. Oh, and all of this happens right after Mr. Heron compliments Tim for his smarts and bravery.

Okay. Now put yourself in Tim's shoes. Rely on your personal experiences. Were you ever in a position where an adult trusted you? And you really wanted to pull it off? And it was a colossal failure? Even if this situation doesn't directly relate, you are familiar with the concept of letting people down, yes? Maybe even letting yourself down? Sports teams getting blown out in front of the home crowd. Forgetting a close friend's (or family member's) birthday. What feelings would you have? Why might you then avoid interaction with the person you let down?

I ask again. Why does Tim avoid Mr. Heron?