Final answer:
Miss Temple offers Jane and Helen a kind gesture and a moment of comfort during their tea together, symbolizing friendship and social equality in the novel 'Jane Eyre.'
Step-by-step explanation:
Miss Temple gives Jane and Helen a heartwarming gesture of kindness during their tea together by providing them with a warm and comfortable environment, which is especially significant given the austere conditions typically found at Lowood School. This act is indicative of Miss Temple's compassionate character, and it offers both Jane and Helen a rare moment of respite and comfort. The tea also symbolically represents a moment of social equality and friendship between the characters, which is a theme throughout the novel Jane Eyre.