In the same overbearing way David explored every nook of Edward's life.
"Your father is English, isn't he?" he asked.
"He was English," admitted Edward, too subdued by now to resent the question.
"But why does he live like a Chinese? Why doesn't he live like an Englishman?"
"I don't know," answered Edward, never really conscious before to-night that his mode of living was abnormal. "I suppose he likes it better."
"I know," said David. "It's so that he can have all those wives. In England that wouldn't be allowed."
"Wouldn't it? Why not?"
"No, he would have to go to prison if he did that. We can only have one wife."
"But don't the rich people have several wives?"
"No, everybody's just the same. And one wife's enough anyway."