Who was Alice?

Correct answer: The cook of the house

The governing concept is identifying a minor character by her role in the household. Alice was the cook who worked in Kezia’s home. At her mother’s request, Alice helped Kezia prepare the pin-cushion intended as a birthday present for her father. Thus, option A is correct. Alice was not Kezia’s sister, teacher, or a neighbour’s child. Knowing her role also helps explain how Kezia was able to make the gift, even though she did not understand the importance of the papers she used for stuffing it. The episode leads to the punishment that temporarily makes Kezia’s image of her father even more frightening.