Chapter 5 Summary

One day, Christopher's parents are arguing in the dining room. He cannot hear much of it. However, he can discern that the argument revolves around the fact that while his mother is an avid campaigner against opium trade in China and his father is employed by the British trading company responsible for opium distribution in China. This, naturally, is a source of tension between Christopher's parents. On this day, his mother chastises his father for making them all part of the sin. His father responds defensively that he it is not that simple. He also adds that it is too bad, but he cannot be like Philip.

Philip is a former colleague of Christopher's father, who quit the company in protest of the opium trade. Because of this, he is allied with Christopher's mother and is often at their house. Christopher feels very...