The drink couldn’t have been free, and yet the gentleman told me it was so that I could accept it without embarrassment over the fact that I couldn’t pay him. Since both of us understood that this was his true purpose, there was no need to spell it out. The [Chinese Groove] had made things clear between us, leaving us both undisturbed.
-- Shelley (1: Eastward Ho)

Importance: This quote establishes Shelley’s worldview and foreshadows how disconnected he will be from his Uncle’s family. Because of Shelley’s experiences in China, he assumes everyone is being courteous to avoid talking about uncomfortable things. This leads to many misunderstandings, especially when he meets his Uncle’s family. Over the course of the novel, Shelley has to rebuild his worldview to fit this new narrative and better relate to those who do not think the same way that he does.

Soon [Aviva would be...
-- Shelley (2. Arrival)