Harry. What of it? I believe she's a very pretty girl.
Knox. I daresay she is. But hang it all, he needn't have married her.
George. I don't think it was a very wise thing to do.
Harry. I should have thought all those prejudices were out of date. Why shouldn't a man marry a half-caste if he wants to?
Knox. It can't be very nice to have a wife whom even the missionary ladies turn up their noses at.
Harry. [With a shrug of the shoulders.] You wait till Freddy's number one in Hankow and can entertain. I bet the white ladies will be glad enough to know his missus then.
George. Yes, but that's just it. He'll never get a good job with a Eurasian wife.
Harry. He's in Jardine's, isn't he? Do you mean to say it's going to handicap a man in a shipping firm because he's married a woman who's partly Chinese?
George. Of course it is. Jardine's are about the most important firm in China and the manager of one of their principal branches has definite social obligations. Freddy Baker will be sent to twopenny halfpenny outports where his wife doesn't matter.
Knox. I think he's damned lucky if he's not asked to resign.