--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What are you doing?” Ya!” said Jane…" description: "\"“What are you doing?” Ya!” said Jane, whirling around, her hands held up menacingly. It was Mr. Nobley with coat, hat, and cane, watching her with wide..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/052/shannon-hale-827_awkward-moment_what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling_1385726.jpg" --- # What are you doing?” Ya!” said Jane, whirling around, her… ![“What are you doing?” Ya!” said Jane, whirling around, her hands held up menacingly. It was Mr. Nobley with coat, hat, and cane, watching her with wide eyes. Jane took several quick (but oh so casual) steps away from Martin’s window. Um, did I just say, ‘Ya’?” You just said ‘Ya,”’ he confirmed. “If…” quote by Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/052/shannon-hale-827_awkward-moment_what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling_1385726.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/052/shannon-hale-827_awkward-moment_what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling_1385726.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/052/shannon-hale-827_awkward-moment_what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling_1385726.jpg) > ““What are you doing?” Ya!” said Jane, whirling around, her hands held up menacingly. It was Mr. Nobley with coat, hat, and cane, watching her with wide eyes. Jane took several quick (but oh so casual) steps away from Martin’s window. Um, did I just say, ‘Ya’?” You just said ‘Ya,”’ he confirmed. “If I am not mistaken, it was a battle cry, warning that you were about to attack me.” I, uh. . .“ She stopped to laugh. “I wasn’t aware until this precise and awkward moment that when startled in a strange place, my instincts would have me pretend to be a ninja.” \*\*\* Surely a young beauty like yourself is lonely, too. It can be part of the game, if you like.” Get off,” she said, thoroughly done with this. His answer was to lean in closer. So she kneed him in groin. As hard as she could. Aw, ow, dammit!” He doubled over and thudded onto knees. Jane brushed off her knee, feeling like it had touched son thing dirty. “Aw, ow, dammit indeed! What’re you thinking?” Jane heard hurried footsteps coming down the stairs. It Mr. Nobley. Miss Erstwhile!” He was barefoot in his breeches, his shirt untucked. He glanced down at the groaning man. “Sir Templeton!” Ow, she kicked me,” said Sir Templeton. Kneed him, I kneed him,” Jane said. “I don’t kick. Not even when 1m a ninja.” Mr. Nobley stood a moment in silence, looking over the scene. “I hope you remembered to shout ‘Ya’ when taking him down. I hear that is very effective.” I’m afraid I neglected that bit, but I’ll certainly ‘ya’ from here to London if he ever touches me again.”” [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A chaotic, comedic scene shows a character using instinctive, exaggerated ninja moves to defend herself, highlighting how stress can trigger absurd, improvised reactions. **In simple terms:** Stress can make people act wildly and humorously. Key Takeaway Embrace humor and quick thinking in tense moments. Themes humor self‑defense instinct absurdity social interaction Mood playful anxious defiant Type anecdotal comic dramatic When to use this quote - party confrontation - unexpected attack - self‑protection - comic relief Key Concepts improvisation stress response identity play Questions to Reflect On - How do you react when startled? - When does humor help defuse tension? A Different Perspective The humor may downplay the seriousness of real danger. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awkward moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awkward-moment/) [Battle cry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle-cry/) ## Related quotes > [“I think you just complimented me," said Jane. "You should take better care next time." The music had started, the couples had begun a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/i-think-you-just-complimented-me-said-jane-you-should-take-better/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [What are you doing?" 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I did nine tests to finally get that role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tab-hunter/i-knew-jimmy-dean-he-tested-for-battle-cry-paul-newman-tested-for/) [Tab Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tab-hunter/) ## More by Shannon Hale > [“Well, write me into the list of Those Who Don’t Mind a Bit,” said Cupid, eyeing his perfectly toned arms and chest. “My, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/well-write-me-into-the-list-of-those-who-don-t-mind-a-bit-said-cupid/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“Sometimes instinct isn't fancy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/sometimes-instinct-isn-t-fancy/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Enna leaned back her head and laughed at the sky. 'Of course he wasn't! 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It was Mr. Nobley with coat, hat, and cane, watching her with wide eyes. Jane took several quick (but oh so casual) steps away from Martin’s window. Um, did I just say, ‘Ya’?” You just said ‘Ya,”’ he confirmed. “If I am not mistaken, it was a battle cry, warning that you were about to attack me.” I, uh. . .“ She stopped to laugh. “I wasn’t aware until this precise and awkward moment that when startled in a strange place, my instincts would have me pretend to be a ninja.” *** Surely a young beauty like yourself is lonely, too. It can be part of the game, if you like.” Get off,” she said, thoroughly done with this. His answer was to lean in closer. So she kneed him in groin. As hard as she could. Aw, ow, dammit!” He doubled over and thudded onto knees. Jane brushed off her knee, feeling like it had touched son thing dirty. “Aw, ow, dammit indeed! What’re you thinking?” Jane heard hurried footsteps coming down the stairs. It Mr. Nobley. Miss Erstwhile!” He was barefoot in his breeches, his shirt untucked. He glanced down at the groaning man. “Sir Templeton!” Ow, she kicked me,” said Sir Templeton. Kneed him, I kneed him,” Jane said. “I don’t kick. Not even when 1m a ninja.” Mr. Nobley stood a moment in silence, looking over the scene. “I hope you remembered to shout ‘Ya’ when taking him down. I hear that is very effective.” I’m afraid I neglected that bit, but I’ll certainly ‘ya’ from here to London if he ever touches me again.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shannon Hale" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling-around-her-hands-held-up/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Awkward moment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling-around-her-hands-held-up/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/052/shannon-hale-827_awkward-moment_what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling_1385726.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/052/shannon-hale-827_awkward-moment_what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling_1385726.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/052/shannon-hale-827_awkward-moment_what-are-you-doing-ya-said-jane-whirling_1385726.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What are you doing?” Ya!” said Jane, whirling around, her hands held up menacingly. 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