She exhales a small laugh. Mary actually knows how he feels being worried about being shunned.

"This place is much different from either of our homes," Mary says. "I rather think you could be very open with another man and it would not be frowned upon." Picking up her teacup again, she takes a sip. "There's something else I must ask though. Do you... have feelings for Jim?"

Mary's not sure if she wants to hear the answer, but she really needs to know. Jim seemed to think that John wasn't interested in him like that, but Mary's not so sure.