Thank You Ma'am

Hughes's short story wheels around two characters, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and a young boy called Roger. Roger tries to fulfill his desire of owning a pair of blue suede shoes by attempting to steal the pocket book that belongs to Mrs. Jones. but Roger is caught red-handed by Mrs Jones. However Mrs. Jones feels compassion for him and does not hand over to the police. See finds out that the boys hungry and offers him food. Mrs. Jones seems to feel at ease in the boy's company and tell him about her own life. She also gives him some money before bidding him good-bye. Rogger is overwhelmed with emotion at the goodness and sympathy he received from her. He wants to express his gratitude earnestly, but his gratefulness gets no opportunity to bloom beyond a mere "Thank you, Ma'am", before she closed the door on his face.