A Cup of Tea

Question

by Katherine Mansfield

“M-madame,” stammered the voice. “Would you let me have the price of a cup of tea?”

“A cup of tea?” There was something simple, sincere in that voice; it wasn’t in the least the voice of a beggar. “Then have you no money at all?” asked Rosemary.

“None, madam,” came the answer.

“How extraordinary!” Rosemary peered through the dusk, and the girl gazed back at her. How more than extraordinary! And suddenly it seemed to Rosemary such an adventure. It was like something out of a novel by Dostoevsky, this meeting in the dusk. Supposing she took the girl home? Supposing she did do one of those things she was always reading about or seeing on the stage, what would happen? It would be thrilling. And she heard herself saying afterwards to the amazement of her friends: “I simply took her home with me,” as she stepped forward and said to that dim person beside her: “Come home to tea with me.”

The girl drew back startled. She even stopped shivering for a moment. Rosemary put out a hand and touched her arm. “I mean it,” she said, smiling. And she felt how simple and kind her smile was. “Why won’t you? Do. Come home with me now in my car and have tea.”

“You—you don’t mean it, madam,” said the girl, and there was pain in her voice.

“But I do,” cried Rosemary. “I want you to. To please me. Come along.”

The girl put her fingers to her lips and her eyes devoured Rosemary.

“You’re—you’re not taking me to the police station?” she stammered.

“The police station!” Rosemary laughed out. “Why should I be so cruel? No, I only want to make you warm and to hear—anything you care to tell me.”

Hungry people are easily led. The footman held the door of the car open, and a moment later they were skimming through the dusk.

“There!” said Rosemary. She had a feeling of triumph as she slipped her hand through the velvet strap. She could have said, “Now I’ve got you,” as she gazed at the little captive she had netted. But of course she meant it kindly. Oh, more than kindly. She was going to prove to this girl that—wonderful things did happen in life, that—fairy godmothers were real, that—rich people had hearts, and that women were sisters.

"A Cup of Tea" by Katherine Mansfield

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

What is one likely reason the author uses the figurative language “she gazed at the little captive she had netted”?

(1 point)
Responses

The language reveals the power that the rich had over the poor.
The language reveals the power that the rich had over the poor.

The language reveals that Rosemary has a sinister reason for inviting the woman over.
The language reveals that Rosemary has a sinister reason for inviting the woman over.

The language reveals that the rich were often fascinated with the poor.
The language reveals that the rich were often fascinated with the poor.

The language reveals that the poor were afraid of the rich.

Answer 1

The most likely reason the author uses the figurative language “she gazed at the little captive she had netted” is:

The language reveals the power that the rich had over the poor.

This interpretation highlights the dynamic between Rosemary, who represents wealth and privilege, and the girl, who is in a vulnerable position. The metaphor of "capturing" suggests the imbalance of power in their relationship and how Rosemary's actions, though well-intentioned, still stem from her position of advantage.