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.