Thank you ma'am -
" If you think that contact is not going to last awhile, you got another thing coming......."
Explain what Mrs. Jones meant by it ?
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HOMEWORK HELP > LANGSTON HUGHES
In the story “Thank you Ma'am" what is Mrs. Jone’s reaction to Roger’s crime?
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HEATHER GAREY eNotes educator| CERTIFIED EDUCATOR
In the short story "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes, Roger is trying to steal the purse belonging to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. He trips and falls instead of making a quick getaway, and Mrs. Jones reacts by admonishing him for his behavior. Then, she mothers him and takes care of his needs.
When Roger trips and falls, the first thing that Mrs. Jones does is to kick him in the pants. Then, she picks him up by his shirt and begins chastening him. She shakes him and says, "Pick up my pocketbook, boy, and give it here." Still holding onto him, she asks him if he will run if she lets go of his shirt. He nods, so she doesn't let go of him.
She tells Roger he needs his face washed and asks him if he's hungry. When Roger replies that all he wants is for her to turn him loose, she responds this way:
"Was I bothering you when I turned that corner?" asked the woman.
"No'm."
"But you put yourself in contact with me," said the woman. "If you think that contact is not going to last awhile, you got another thought coming. When I get through with you, sir, you are going to remember Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones."
She takes him to her home and makes him wash his face. Then she makes a meal for him and asks him why he was trying to steal her purse. He tells her he wanted a pair of blue suede shoes. She gives him a ten dollar bill in order for him to purchase the shoes. She also tells him he should have just asked for what he wanted in the first place, instead of trying to steal from her.
Explanation: Mrs. Jones meant to tell Roger that if he had expected the meeting between them was going to be short then he should consider his thoughts again.