In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. The children said, "They were busy playing thus they did not notice the stranger."

• The children said that they had been busy playing so they have not noticed the stranger.
• The children said that they had been busy playing so they had not noticed the stranger.
• The children said that they have been busy playing so they had not noticed the stranger.
• The children said that they have been busy playing so they have not noticed the stranger.