Two of the women are light-skinned and from a different ethnicity. All the women were friends growing up, but Irene, as always, was treated differently than other women. Clare is married to Jack, who is unaware that his wife is of black descent. Jack often calls Clare "Nig", which Irene finds very offensive to her and her race. Jack makes a comment to his wife "I know you ain't nigger, so it's okay." “There are no niggers in my family, never have had any and never will.” (Larsen, 1929). Irene is amused by Jack's ignorance, but knows that his wife is a black woman. Jack believes his wife Clare has the same beliefs, but says she wants to be like them. Jack viewed blacks as devils who rob and kill people. It took all of Irene not to let Jack know that he was "surrounded by three black devils, drinking tea." (Larsen, 1929). Irene couldn't believe how calmly she handled the entire encounter with Jack; but inside all he could feel was anger and shame for Clare. As Irene and Gertrude wrap up their day and leave, they talk to each other. They couldn't believe how Clare was taking such a risky risk with her husband not knowing her true ethnicity. The women didn't know how Jack felt about black men and the fact that they didn't say anything. Jack was totally unaware. But in the end Clare is happy with her life and believes it's worth it in the end. Irene realized that she couldn't keep thinking about Clare's situation, it was her fault for putting herself in that situation.