On page 60 in Middlesex when they're being shot at and the british is on the ship saying it's not going to take any refugees. Did they begin taking refugees or no?

"The light goes off and the firing stops. Major Maxwell looks at his watch. 'It is not 2115 hours. I am going into my cabin, Phillips. I will staya there until 0700 hours. Should a refugee be taken aboard during that period, it would not come to my attention. Is that understood?'"

Does that mean he was finally allowing refugees to be taken aboard the ship or no?

I think it was a case of "I'm going elsewhere so that I can turn a blind eye if you disobey orders *wink wink nudge nudge*"

That's how I interperated it anyway.

It's a hard book to read I'm finding. It's taking me ages and I'm halfway through it.

that's what I assumed so too but the wording is so frustrating for me to understand. i love the plot though i just don't understand what they're saying sometimes or how he's writing it

hmm it's one of my favourite books - but it's been four years since i read it. when i have some spare time i'll get out my copy and see if i can figure it out haha. but i think he's saying yes, if a refugee happens to come onboard that's fine, but i don't want to know about it. etc.

Thats how i interpreted it too,it took me a long time to read it but i had a nice glow of satisfaction when i`d finished it,i missed the characters when it was all over..is that sad?!LOL