When a negatively charged rod is brought near an electroscope, it repels electrons, making the cap positively charged and the leaves negatively charged. If the cap is earthed while the rod is near, electrons flow in, neutralizing some positive charge and making the cap negatively charged. After removing the rod and disconnecting the earthing, the cap retains extra electrons and remains negatively charged, while the leaves may also be negatively charged depending on their electron loss. Thus, both the cap and the leaves are negatively charged.