The speaker in the quote expresses a desire to maintain a good reputation despite the absurdity of the situation where they are perceived to be walking around with crab apples in their cheeks. By holding rubber balls in their hands, the speaker aims to deflect attention and create an alternative narrative that diverts from the absurdity, allowing them to deny the crab apples entirely. The imaginative strategy serves as a way to escape judgment and preserve their image in a bizarre circumstance.

This reflection highlights the complexity of communication when one's appearance may lead to misconceptions. The speaker acknowledges the challenge of conveying a message while dealing with the absurdity of having crab apples in their cheeks, signifying how difficult it can be to clarify one's intentions and identity in confusing or unexpected situations. The humor in the situation underlines the struggle between reality and perception, illustrating the lengths to which people will go to protect themselves from misunderstanding.