"You know why. They're different, these people—as different from me as if I were Chinese."
"What rubbish!"
"It's the truth. Perhaps later, when I've studied more, seen more, I can meet them and not shame you—"
"Shame me, Jean! If you realized how proud I am—"
"Then don't put me in a position where you may feel anything but proud. Don't make me go."
He reasoned with her laughingly, but without real understanding of her reluctance.
"Besides," he concluded, "you can't decline. The dinner is really for you."
Her cup of misery brimmed over.
"For me!"
"In a way, it's in honor of our engagement, even though it isn't known."