How was Phoenix Jackson manipulative in "A Worn Path"?

When Phoenix
falls in a ditch, she waits and a hunter happens by and helps her up. However, the hunter is
condescending. He assumes that if she is going to town, she is going to see Santa Claus. Phoenix
does not feel that it is necessary to explain the reason for her journey to the hunter. When the
hunter steps away with his dogs, Phoenix slowly bends down to grab the nickel the hunter has
dropped. She takes advantage of the situation in spite of the fact that she feels somewhat
guilty for it. "God watching me the whole time. I come to stealing." When the hunter
returns, he points the gun at her and asks if she's scared. This is a pointless and insulting
act, but Phoenix doesn't budge and perhaps might feel less guilty about stealing the nickel.
Besides, the hunter then lies and says he would give her some money if he had any: 

I'd give you a dime if I had any money with me. But you take my
advice and stay home, and nothing will happen to you. 

When she arrives in town, she asks a woman to tie her shoe. This is not necessarily
being manipulative but Phoenix does take advantage of situations and any help she can get. She
is so resolute in her journey that she is manipulative when she has to be and not too proud to
accept help when it is necessary. She is also not above accepting "charity" as the
nurse calls it. As she's leaving the doctor's office, she manages to get another nickel (rather
than a few pennies) from the nurse. She plans to use the money to buy her grandson a paper
windmill.