Chapters 15, 16 and 17 Summary

In chapter fifteen, at the canteen, Jones encounters Madge who, to his surprise, is friendly with him. In spite of realizing that in this situation she has the power, Jones sits down and talks with her, turning the situation to his advantage and taking his own power by flirting with her. He's just about to push the point when they're interrupted by Madge's chatty sister-in-law Elsie, a Texan, who gabs about how "coloured" people and white people back home all get along, how "coloured" people prefer their own company, and how God made "coloured" people different from white people so that the "coloureds" could serve the whites. Further conversation is stopped by the ringing of the bell signaling the end of the lunch break. As Jones prepares to go back to work, he tells Madge he will come by and see...