Summary

In “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway, an American couple is staying at an Italian hotel during a rainy day. From their room’s window, the wife sees a cat sheltering from the rain under a table outside. She decides to go out and get the cat.

The wife goes downstairs, where she meets the hotel owner, who bows to her. They make small-talk about the weather. The wife likes his appearance and his attitude.

The maid who looks after the couple’s room accompanies the wife outside, holding an umbrella over her. The wife cannot find the cat, and she becomes disappointed. The maid then urges her to go back inside.

Back in the room, the wife looks in the mirror and tells her husband that she wants to grow out her hair, settle down, and have a cat. The husband, George, dismisses her and continues reading while lying in bed.

The maid knocks at the door and brings the woman a cat, sent by the hotel owner....