The narrator experiences an unexpected maternal instinct towards a small man, which deeply unsettles her. This realization catches her off guard, as she finds the feeling both surprising and disturbing. Instead of dwelling on this unsettling emotion, she consciously shifts her focus to the pressing matter she needs to address.

This moment illustrates the internal conflict the narrator faces, balancing her emotional responses with the necessity of dealing with her current situation. The juxtaposition of her maternal feelings and the urgent problem highlights her complex character and the challenges she encounters in her journey.