Mrs. Jones works in the beauty-shop of a hotel, a shop that stays open late to serve all classes of women with different types of hair. This shop is convenient for those who do not have regular day jobs.
After she has invited him to her living quarters and fixed a meal for Roger, Mrs. Jones talks to him in a casual and friendly manner, revealing much about herself--even the fact that she has done things of which she is quite ashamed. By doing so, Mrs. Jones humbles herself and reveals herself to him as no one "special," yet she is still a decent and honest person. In this way Mrs. Jones models for Roger, showing him that ordinary people are honest and work for what they own.
As she talks, Mrs. Jones becomes more and more real to Roger, and he grows ashamed of his intentions to steal from her. Now, he views her as a warm and caring woman, and he is ashamed that he has tried to take money from a woman who must survive on her own, performing manual labor for little pay. Yet, before he leaves, Mrs. Jones demonstrates true Christian charity as she gives him some of her hard-earned money:
“Now, here, take this ten dollars and buy yourself some blue suede shoes. And next time, do not make the mistake of latching onto my pocketbook nor nobody else’s—because shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet."
Moved by the kindness and love freely given to him, Roger can do little more than murmur "Thank you, m'am" before she closes her door after urging him to behave himself.
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