The speaker of the line quoted above is Roger, who attempted to steal the purse of Mrs Jones. The speaker said this to Mrs Luella BatesWashington Jones, who wanted to teach him right from wrong.
Roger was so touched by Mrs Jones’ motherly affection that he wished to earn a place in her heart by extending his helping hand. Hence, he asked her if she needed someone to go to the store maybe to get some milk or something.
Mrs Jones heated some lima beans and ham she had in the icebox, made cocoa out of canned milk and cut him a half of her ten-cent cake. The two had all these in supper. As It appears from the author’s description that Mrs Jones lived in a fairly big house with a hall and several rooms. The room where she took Roger was a kitchenette-a large furnished chamber at the far end of the house. Mrs Jones’ room had a day-bed at one side, a wash-basin, a mirror and toiletries on the other side. In another corner of the room, behind a screen was a gas plate, an icebox and a dining table. The other parts of the house were occupied by the other roomers and their giggles and talking could be heard. However, Mrs Jones occupied one room and lived alone which was evident from the fact that no one was waiting for her or was there to help her prepare supper. She had everything she needed in that room and did all the work herself.