“I were young once and I wanted things I could not get.”- How does the utterance bridge the gap between the two characters?

The line mentioned above, uttered by Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones. It unveils the pity and pathos that lie inherent within the story. Mrs Jones works till late hours in the evening in a hotel beauty-shop. Having caught the boy red-handed, she neither ill-treats him nor belittles him, rather she engages herself in offering him sincere hospitality and care. She even gives him ten dollars to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. This unusual reaction on Mrs Jones part astonishes us but a deep insight into it would probably reveal to us the reason behind it. As she observes the young boy steal to fulfil his wants, she realises the pain of not getting what is earnestly yearned for. Flashes of her past struggles are recalled by her as she confesses, “I have done things, too, which I would not tell you.” Perhaps due to this reason, she wants to teach Roger right from wrong. As both Mrs Jones and Roger, had to experience deprivation and want in their young age, the prime stage of human life, the utterance bridges the gap between the two characters.

“There was another long pause.”-What was the reason for this long pause? Was there any other pause previously? If yes, state the reason for that pause.

Mrs Jones told Roger that she was also young once, and could not get what she wanted. The statement was so sudden and so very much alike to Rogers state that he could not say anything. He was startled to find someone who had a childhood similar to his. As for Mrs Jones, she was lost in thoughts. That is why there was a long pause. 

Yes, there was another long pause previously. It was when Roger told Mrs Jones that he had to steal to buy himself a pair of blue suede shoes and in reply, she told Roger that he could have asked her for the money needed to buy it. 

Hearing Mrs Jones’ remark that she wanted things she could not get Roger was dumbfounded, not knowing what to say or do. He was greatly surprised, perhaps because he never received such warmth and love from anyone. Rogers reason for stealing took Mrs Jones down the memory lane to her childhood when she too was in need, like Roger in some ways. So both of them remained silent for some time.