Final answer:
Wells' silent statement to the shop clerks was an act of dignified defiance, acknowledging their discriminatory behavior discreetly while maintaining her poise. This non-verbal behavior suggests an awareness of prejudice without confronting it loudly, but instead expressing disapproval through composed actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The silent statement Wells was making about the way the shop clerks were treating her can be characterized by a silent protest against their behavior. If one were to translate this gesture into a sentence, it could be: “I recognize your unjust treatment and though I may not confront it vocally, my demeanor and choice to proceed dignifiedly express my disapproval and awareness of your prejudice.”
Through the text, there's an implication that the shop clerks were treating Wells differently, likely with a discriminatory attitude. However, instead of confronting them verbally or causing a scene, she chose to proceed with her purchase and leave. This type of response reflects a resolve to maintain personal dignity and possibly to indicate that the clerk's behavior was beneath her and not worthy of a direct confrontation.
Such behavior can serve as a small act of resistance, showing that the person being discriminated against is aware of the unfair treatment yet chooses to rise above it. It embodies a calm yet powerful rejection of racism and an assertion of one's own humanity and self-respect in the face of prejudiced attitudes.