In the Cage

In the Cage is a novella by American-British author Henry James, first published in 1898. The story is set in London and follows a young woman who works as a telegraph operator in a post office. The protagonist is never given a name, but is referred to as the 'telegraph girl' or simply 'she'.

The telegraph girl is fascinated by the private lives of the wealthy and influential individuals who send and receive telegrams at the post office, but also feels trapped in her mundane job and aspires to a higher social status. She becomes particularly intrigued by a man named Captain Everard, who frequently sends telegrams to a lady known as Mrs. Munden, and begins to imagine a romantic relationship between the two and becomes increasingly involved in their affairs.