Why does Eumaeus visit the palace?

to bring a fatted pig to the suitors for their daily feast.

to tell Penelope that Odysseus has returned.

to tell Penelope about her son's return.

He doesn't, but goes to Laertes' hut instead.

Eumaeus visits the palace to tell Penelope about her son's return.

Telemachus, Odysseus and Penelope's son, was far away from home with Pisistratus, Nestor's son. The goddess Athena finds him in Sparta and tells him that he must return home to Ithaca, or else Penelope is going to marry someone and lose their home to another kingdom. However, she tells him that he must go to Eumaeus first, who is to inform Penelope that her son has come back home.