Every one was eager to do something, and, as the men stood at ease, the people mingled freely with them, offering gifts, hearty grips of the hand, and hopeful prophecies of victory in the end. Irresistibly attracted, my boy Tom and drew near, and soon, becoming excited by the scene, ravaged the fruit-stands in our neighborhood for tokens of our regard, mingling candy and congratulations , peanuts and prayers, apples and applause, in one enthusiastic jumble

In paragraph 2, which details help readers verify that the word irresistibly means "having an appeal that cannot be denied"?

A. “was eager to” “drew near”
B. “do something,” “hearty grips of the hand”
C. “stood at ease,” “offering gifts”
D. “prophecies of victory”, “becoming excited”

As explained, something that is irresistible has an appeal that cannot be denied. When something is irresistible therefore, it tends to draw people towards it.

The people in this chapter were eager to do something with the men who stood at ease because they found the sight irresistible and so wanted to act on the feelings of attraction that they had. This was why they were drawn near to the scene.