Final answer:
The line that establishes the matter-of-fact tone at the beginning of 'The Nose' is specific and sets the stage for the unusual events to come.
Explanation:
The line that best establishes the matter-of-fact tone at the beginning of the story is: A. On the 25th March, 18 -, a very strange occurrence took place in St Petersburg.
This line sets a factual and straightforward tone by providing a specific date and location for the unusual event that is about to unfold in the story.
This matter-of-fact introduction helps to anchor the reader in the setting and time of the narrative, setting the stage for the unusual events that follow.
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