What did Peak mean by 'I would have liked it better if he had come to New York to save me because I was in trouble, not because he was in trouble'?

• A. His father was simply proud of his son and wanted to celebrate.
• B. His father wanted to relocate the family to New York.
• C. He believed his father hoped to help him when he was in trouble.
• D. His father was in deep debt and needed money—if Peak made the climb successfully he would be rich.

Answer: (D)

The line reveals motive and tension between genuine care and financial pressure. Peak is saying he would have preferred his father to come rescue him because he was in trouble, not because the father himself was in trouble. That points to the father’s actions being driven by money and debt rather than a selfless rescue. If Peak climbs successfully, the father could gain something financially, which explains the implied critique of the father’s intentions. The other interpretations don’t fit because they either ignore the money-driven motive, or misread the reason for the father’s visit.