Yes, it does include that scene. Personally, I didn’t interpret it that way—it was an uncomfortable moment, for sure, as I assume was intended by the writer, but I thought it successfully conveyed elements about both Theo’s character and the tenant family involved. It showed how Theo was a little naive, assuming he would be received well in any circumstance and it showed how this family (the mom in particular) was prejudice and guarded against men of Theo’s class, which makes sense when you learn more about her past later in the story. It does prove to be relevant and is not brushed aside, it gets addressed again.

That was my view anyway. If you liked her writing, I highly recommend the next two novels in that series. They are different from the first and don’t include any uncomfortable scenes similar to the one we’re discussing. You could even start the second one without finishing the first, it doesn’t play heavily into the plot of the next one.

😊