How we cite our quotes: (paragraph)
Quote #4
To-morrow he would go into the roaring downtown district and find work. A fur importer had once offered him a place as driver. He would find him to-morrow and ask for the position. He would be somebody in the world. He would— (43)
Hmmm. Maybe Soapy was simply in a transient, impermanent state of mind during the past years. His mind couldn't settle on anything worthy of focus other than basic necessities. His change of heart is a desire for a more stable, permanent kind of life. Maybe Soapy will begin to treat the world like it's his home, rather than a motel room.
Quote #5
What are you doin' here?" asked the officer.
"Nothin'," said Soapy.
"Then come along," said the policeman. (45-47)
Soapy has changed inside, but the sixth policeman still sees him as the same vagrant or transient man he was a few moments ago. Oh the irony! Maybe we can look at this as a test of whether Soapy's change of heart is permanent or not.