Question

a cup of tea
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 wasnt in the least the voice of a
beggar. \then have you no money at all?\ asked
rosemary.

one, 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
wont you? do. come home with me now in my car
and have tea.\
\you-you dont 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.\
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)
the language reveals that the rich were often
fascinated with 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 the poor were afraid
of the rich.

Explanation:

The figurative language "she gazed at the little captive she had netted" implies that the girl (the poor) is like a captive, and Rosemary (the rich) has "netted" her, showing the power dynamic where the rich can control or influence the poor. The first option is incorrect as there's no indication the rich are fascinated with the poor. The third option is wrong as Rosemary's invitation is more about her desire for an adventure (like in novels/stage) rather than a sinister reason. The fourth option is incorrect as the girl's reaction is surprise/doubt, not fear. The second option fits as it shows the rich's power over the poor.

Answer:

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