There are only two characters in this story: a teenage boy named Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. Based on the topics and themes of Langston Hughes' work, we can infer that the characters are African American. Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones' long name matches her larger-than-life stature and personality. Roger, in sharp contrast, is timid and unsure of himself.
Even though Roger is stealing Mrs. Jones' purse at the beginning of the story, he is portrayed more as a desperate, misguided youth than as a bad person. Mrs. Jones is perceptive and recognizes right away that Roger does not have adult supervision or care, so she forgives him and sets about taking care of him, offering some guidance along the way.