Asking a man if he could be trusted was like asking an unwed girl if she was a virgin. The question mattered, but the asking of it was gross insult.
The quote suggests that questioning someone's trustworthiness is intrusive and offensive, similar to asking an unmarried woman about her virginity. It highlights how certain questions, despite their importance, can carry a heavy weight of social implications and personal affront. Trust is seen as a deep-seated quality that should be inherently understood rather than explicitly questioned.
In essence, the author, Orson Scott Card, illustrates that some inquiries can invade personal boundaries and reflect a lack of faith in the individual's character. This perspective on trust emphasizes the delicate nature of personal relationships and the sensitivities surrounding public perception and moral integrity.
