Lyric discussion by BurningOldSage 

Cover art for Sylvia's Mother lyrics by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show

I'm stunned at how many people think Mrs. Avery's last lines are an implication of any sort of empathy or respect for the caller: Sylvia's right there by this time (Grab your umbrella) and capable of hearing her side of the conversation; Mrs. Avery is acting as if she is speaking to a stranger. Of course, nearly 20 years there was no such thing as Wikipedia and so many other sources. Still, the above is a strange interpretation.

Song Fact
Negative
Subjective
Disgust
Misinterpretation
Empathy
Communication
Interpretation
Context