Choose the pair of words that will make the sentence grammatically correct and meaningful.

The mournful _____ of the grieving widow _____ through the empty halls of the old mansion.

• The first blank: While "cries" and "sobs" are also sounds of grief, "wail" is a singular noun that fits perfectly with the singular article "The" and the adjective "mournful." A wail is specifically a long, high-pitched cry of pain or grief.