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“A Cup of Tea by Katherine Mansfield” is a famous short story written in 1922. Katherine Mansfield was a well-known writer from New Zealand. She is loved for her emotional, realistic, and short stories about everyday life. Her stories are simple on the surface but deep in meaning.
This story is about a rich young woman named Rosemary. One cold day, she meets a poor girl on the street. Rosemary wants to help her, but something changes her mind. The story shows how people can feel kind and selfish at the same time.
This version of the story is rewritten in Level 2 English. It uses Past Simple tense, easy words, and short sentences. It is perfect for students who are learning English at the elementary or pre-intermediate level.
The story helps readers think about kindness, beauty, and the things that truly matter in life.
We recommend you read this beautiful story and enjoy learning English with it.
This story was rewritten by LearnEnglish-new.com for English learners. The story is in the public domain, so it is free from copyright. Enjoy reading and improve your English skills!
A Cup of Tea
by Katherine Mansfield
Contents
Chapter One: A Winter Day and a Beautiful Shop
Chapter Three: A Visitor and a Secret Thought
Chapter Four: The Real Question
Chapter One
A Winter Day and a Beautiful Shop
It was a cold winter afternoon. Rosemary Fell was a young, rich woman. She lived in London. She was not very beautiful, but she was smart, well-dressed, and modern. She loved books, art, and shopping.
That day, she visited a small antique shop on Curzon Street. It was her favorite shop. The shopkeeper liked her very much. He always smiled when she came.
He showed her a small box. It was blue, with flowers and gold on it. Rosemary loved it.
“It’s charming!” she said.
“It’s twenty-eight guineas, madam,” said the shopkeeper.
Rosemary wanted to buy the box, but she didn’t decide yet. She left the shop and stepped outside. It was raining, and the street was dark. People walked quickly under their umbrellas.
Suddenly, a voice spoke to her.
“Madam, may I speak to you?” a girl said.
Rosemary saw a thin, tired girl. Her hands were red from the cold. Her clothes were old and wet.
“Would you let me have the price of a cup of tea?” the girl asked.
“Do you have any money at all?” Rosemary asked.
“No, madam.”
Rosemary thought this moment was exciting. She had read stories like this. She decided to do something kind.
“Come with me,” she said. “Come home and have tea.”
The girl looked afraid.
“You’re not taking me to the police?” she asked.
“No, no,” said Rosemary. “Just tea. Please come.”
They got into Rosemary’s car.
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary
1. rich /rɪtʃ/ — having a lot of money.
Example: “Rosemary Fell was a young, rich woman.”
3. favorite /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ — liked more than others.
Example: “It was her favorite shop.”
5. umbrella /ʌmˈbrelə/ — an object used to protect from rain.
Example: “People walked quickly under their umbrellas.”
7. exciting /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/ — making you feel interested and happy.
Example: “Rosemary thought this moment was exciting.”
2. antique /ænˈtiːk/ — old and valuable.
Example: “That day, she visited a small antique shop on Curzon Street.”
4. charming /ˈtʃɑːrmɪŋ/ — very pleasant and attractive.
Example: “It’s charming!”
6. tired /ˈtaɪərd/ — needing rest.
Example: “Rosemary saw a thin, tired girl.”
8. afraid /əˈfreɪd/ — feeling fear.
Example: “The girl looked afraid.”
Chapter 1 – Comprehension Questions
1. Where did Rosemary Fell live?
3. Which shop did Rosemary visit?
5. Why did Rosemary not buy the box immediately?
7. What did the poor girl ask Rosemary for?
2. What did Rosemary love doing?
4. What color was the beautiful box?
6. What was the weather like outside?
8. Why did Rosemary invite the girl home?
Chapter 1 – Grammar Exercises
1. Rosemary __ a young, rich woman.
A) is
B) was
C) were
D) are
3. The shopkeeper ____ her a small box.
A) show
B) showed
C) shows
D) showing
5. The girl __ any money.
A) don’t have
B) didn’t have
C) doesn’t has
D) not have
7. Rosemary decided __ something kind.
A) do
B) doing
C) to do
D) did
2. She ____ in London.
A) live
B) living
C) lived
D) lives
4. Rosemary __ the shop.
A) leave
B) leaves
C) left
D) leaving
6. People walked under __ umbrellas.
A) they
B) them
C) their
D) theirs
8. The girl looked __.
A) afraid
B) afraidly
C) fear
D) fears
Please write your answers in the comments. The correct answers will be posted later.
Chapter Two
Tea at Home
Rosemary and the girl arrived at Rosemary’s big house. The house was warm and beautiful. A servant opened the door. Rosemary smiled.
“Come upstairs,” she said kindly. “You can get warm.”
The girl looked afraid but followed. Rosemary took her to her bedroom. There was a fire, gold cushions, and soft rugs. The girl stood near the door, quiet and nervous.
“Sit here,” said Rosemary. “You look cold. Sit by the fire.”
“I— I don’t know,” said the girl.
“Please,” said Rosemary. “Don’t be afraid.”
She helped the girl take off her wet coat and hat. The girl looked very weak. She held the chair and sat down slowly.
“I’m sorry, madam,” she whispered. “I feel sick. I think I will faint.”
Rosemary was shocked. She called the maid.
“Tea! And some brandy!” she said quickly.
But the girl cried,
“No brandy, madam. I never drink brandy. I only want a cup of tea.”
Rosemary felt something strange in her heart. She gave the girl her own lace handkerchief.
“Don’t cry,” she said softly. “Please don’t cry.”
The girl covered her face and cried harder.
“I can’t live like this,” she said. “I can’t do it anymore. I will do something bad to myself.”
Rosemary held her and spoke kindly.
“Don’t say that. You met me today for a reason. We’ll have tea. You can tell me everything. I’ll help you.”
Finally, the girl stopped crying. She looked tired but calm. Rosemary gave her tea, sandwiches, and sweets. She didn’t eat anything herself. She only watched the girl, feeling something new inside—both strong and strange.
Chapter 2 – Vocabulary
1. servant /ˈsɜːrvənt/ — a person who works in a house.
Example: “A servant opened the door.”
3. nervous /ˈnɜːrvəs/ — worried or anxious.
Example: “The girl stood near the door, quiet and nervous.”
5. faint /feɪnt/ — to suddenly become unconscious.
Example: “I think I will faint.”
7. calm /kɑːm/ — peaceful and relaxed.
Example: “She looked tired but calm.”
2. upstairs /ˌʌpˈsteərz/ — to a higher floor in a building.
Example: “Come upstairs,” she said kindly.
4. weak /wiːk/ — not strong.
Example: “The girl looked very weak.”
6. shocked /ʃɒkt/ — very surprised.
Example: “Rosemary was shocked.”
8. handkerchief /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/ — a small piece of cloth used for the face or nose.
Example: “She gave the girl her own lace handkerchief.”
Chapter 2 – Comprehension Questions
1. Where did Rosemary take the girl?
3. Where did Rosemary take the girl inside the house?
5. What did the girl say she felt?
7. What did the girl really want?
2. Who opened the door?
4. Why did Rosemary ask the girl to sit by the fire?
6. What did Rosemary ask the maid to bring?
8. How did the girl feel at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 2 – Grammar Exercises
1. Rosemary and the girl __ at the house.
A) arrive
B) arrives
C) arrived
D) arriving
3. The girl __ very weak.
A) look
B) looking
C) looked
D) looks
5. Rosemary __ the maid.
A) call
B) calls
C) called
D) calling
7. Rosemary gave __ a handkerchief.
A) she
B) her
C) hers
D) herself
2. A servant __ the door.
A) opened
B) opens
C) opening
D) open
4. “I think I will __.”
A) fainted
B) faint
C) fainting
D) faints
6. The girl only wanted a cup of __.
A) milk
B) coffee
C) tea
D) juice
8. Finally, the girl __ crying.
A) stop
B) stopped
C) stops
D) stopping
Please write your answers in the comments. The correct answers will be posted later.
Chapter Three
A Visitor and a Secret Thought
The two women sat by the fire. The girl ate and drank. She started to feel better. Rosemary watched her and felt proud. She believed she had done something good.
Then the door opened. It was Rosemary’s husband, Philip.
“Rosemary, may I come in?” he asked.
“Of course,” she said. “This is my friend, Miss—”
The girl stood up slowly. She looked tired but calm. She said:
“Smith, madam.”
“Smith,” Rosemary repeated.
Philip looked at the girl’s coat and hat on the floor. He looked at the girl carefully.
“It’s a beastly afternoon,” he said. “Vile weather.”
He smiled at the girl. Then he looked at Rosemary and asked:
“Can I speak to you in the library?”
Rosemary said, “Of course,” and followed him.
In the library, Philip said:
“Who is she? What’s going on?”
Rosemary laughed.
“I picked her up in the street. She asked for a cup of tea. I brought her home. Isn’t it exciting?”
“But what are you going to do with her?” Philip asked.
“I don’t know yet. I want to help her,” Rosemary answered.
Philip was quiet. Then he said:
“But she’s very pretty.”
Rosemary was surprised. She blushed.
“Pretty? Do you think so? I hadn’t thought about it.”
Philip lit a match and said:
“She’s very lovely. You should know that.”
Suddenly, Rosemary’s heart felt heavy. She returned to her room without a word. She looked at the girl. The girl really was beautiful. Her skin, her eyes, her face—all soft and sweet.
Rosemary walked to her desk. She opened a drawer. She took out some money.
She gave the girl a few pound notes.
“Here. I think it’s better if you go now,” she said gently.
Chapter 3 – Vocabulary
1. proud /praʊd/ — feeling pleased about something.
Example: “Rosemary watched her and felt proud.”
3. carefully /ˈkeəfəli/ — with attention and care.
Example: “He looked at the girl carefully.”
5. lovely /ˈlʌvli/ — very beautiful or pleasant.
Example: “She’s very lovely.”
7. blushed /blʌʃt/ — became red in the face.
Example: “She blushed.”
2. husband /ˈhʌzbənd/ — a married man.
Example: “It was Rosemary’s husband, Philip.”
4. library /ˈlaɪbrəri/ — a room with books.
Example: “Can I speak to you in the library?”
6. surprised /sərˈpraɪzd/ — feeling unexpected shock.
Example: “Rosemary was surprised.”
8. drawer /drɔːr/ — a box-shaped part of a desk or cabinet.
Example: “She opened a drawer.”
Chapter 3 – Comprehension Questions
1. Who came into the room?
3. What was the girl’s surname?
5. Where did Philip ask Rosemary to go?
7. What did Rosemary tell Philip?
2. What did Rosemary want to do for the girl?
4. What did Philip say about the girl?
6. How did Rosemary feel after Philip’s comment?
8. What did Rosemary give the girl?
Chapter 3 – Grammar Exercises
1. Philip __ Rosemary’s husband.
A) am
B) is
C) are
D) be
3. “Can I speak to you __ the library?”
A) on
B) at
C) in
D) under
5. Philip said the girl __ very lovely.
A) is
B) was
C) are
D) were
7. She opened a __.
A) chair
B) drawer
C) table
D) rug
2. Philip __ at the girl carefully.
A) looked
B) look
C) looking
D) looks
4. Rosemary __ him to the library.
A) follow
B) follows
C) followed
D) following
6. Rosemary __ surprised.
A) were
B) are
C) was
D) be
8. Rosemary gave the girl __ money.
A) a
B) an
C) some
D) any
Please write your answers in the comments. The correct answers will be posted later.
Chapter Four
The Real Question
After giving the girl the money, Rosemary did not say much.
The girl took the money, said thank you, and left the house quietly. She never asked for more. She didn’t cry again.
Rosemary watched her leave.
She didn’t feel happy anymore. She didn’t feel proud.
She walked slowly to her bedroom.
She sat at her table. She opened a mirror and looked at her face.
“She is pretty,” Rosemary thought. “She really is.”
Later, Rosemary walked back to the library. Philip was reading a newspaper.
She leaned against the door and said:
“Miss Smith won’t dine with us tonight.”
“Oh,” said Philip. “What happened?”
“She wanted to go. I gave her a little money,” said Rosemary. She sat on his knee.
She had just done her hair. She wore pearls. Her eyes were dark and lovely.
She touched Philip’s face softly.
“Do you like me?” she asked.
Her voice was soft and sweet. She looked at him with shining eyes.
“I like you awfully,” said Philip. He smiled and held her.
“Kiss me,” Rosemary whispered.
They kissed. But Rosemary had something else to say.
She smiled and said dreamily:
“I saw a lovely little box today. It cost twenty-eight guineas. May I have it?”
Philip laughed.
“You may, little wasteful one.”
But Rosemary didn’t smile. She put her head on Philip’s chest and whispered:
“Philip… am I pretty?”
— THE END –
Chapter 4 – Vocabulary
1. quietly /ˈkwaɪətli/ — without making much noise.
Example: “The girl took the money, said thank you, and left the house quietly.”
3. pearls /pɜːrlz/ — small white jewels.
Example: “She wore pearls.”
5. shining /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/ — bright with light.
Example: “She looked at him with shining eyes.”
7. laughed /læft/ — made sounds showing amusement.
Example: “Philip laughed.”
2. mirror /ˈmɪrər/ — a glass surface that shows your reflection.
Example: “She opened a mirror and looked at her face.”
4. newspaper /ˈnuːzpeɪpər/ — printed pages with news.
Example: “Philip was reading a newspaper.”
6. whispered /ˈwɪspərd/ — spoke very softly.
Example: “Rosemary whispered.”
8. pretty /ˈprɪti/ — attractive and pleasant to look at.
Example: “Philip… am I pretty?”
Chapter 4 – Comprehension Questions
1. What did the girl do after receiving the money?
3. What did Rosemary look at in the mirror?
5. What did Rosemary wear?
7. What present did Rosemary want?
2. How did Rosemary feel?
4. What was Philip reading?
6. What did Rosemary ask Philip?
8. What was Rosemary’s final question?
Chapter 4 – Grammar Exercises
1. The girl __ the house quietly.
A) leave
B) leaves
C) left
D) leaving
3. She opened a mirror and looked __ her face.
A) at
B) in
C) on
D) with
5. Rosemary __ pearls.
A) wear
B) wears
C) wore
D) wearing
7. Rosemary asked, “Am I __?”
A) prettier
B) beauty
C) pretty
D) beautifully
2. Rosemary __ happy anymore.
A) wasn’t
B) weren’t
C) aren’t
D) isn’t
4. Philip __ a newspaper.
A) read
B) reads
C) reading
D) to read
6. “Do you like __?”
A) I
B) my
C) me
D) mine
8. Philip __.
A) laugh
B) laughed
C) laughing
D) laughs
Please write your answers in the comments. The correct answers will be posted later.
The Original Version of the Story: gutenberg.org
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