The Whitemarsh Affair

by John Murry

TIME: Evening, December 2, 1777.

SETTING: Main room in Rebecca Lister’s home in Philadelphia. Stone fireplace is down left. Window is up center; storage chest with cover stands under it. Table with lamps, chairs, and other pieces of plain furniture complete the furnishings. Exit up left leads to kitchen. Exit to street is right.

AT RISE: REBECCA LISTER enters left. She rushes to window, looks out, then opens storage chest and removes sewing basket and man’s overcoat. She carries these to table center and sits. She removes slip of paper from apron pocket, takes cloth-covered button from basket, removes cloth, places paper in button framework, recovers button with material, and sews. ELLA, carrying bundle of clothing, enters left, walks to table, deposits clothing.

REBECCA (Startled): Goodness, Ella, you frightened me.

1 of 12
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

What is the most likely reason that Rebecca begs to be allowed to stay during General Howe’s meeting?

(1 point)
Responses

She wants to help the British by making them comfortable.
She wants to help the British by making them comfortable.

She wants to learn more of the British army’s plans.
She wants to learn more of the British army’s plans.

She wants to influence General Howe not to attack.
She wants to influence General Howe not to attack.

She wants to demonstrate her loyalty to the British.
She wants to demonstrate her loyalty to the British.

1 answer

The most likely reason that Rebecca begs to be allowed to stay during General Howe’s meeting is:

She wants to learn more of the British army’s plans.

This choice aligns with the context of the story, where her actions indicate a desire for insight into the British military perspective, which could be crucial for her and her interests during that turbulent time.