Considering James had once provoked a superior officer into throwing a punch at him, and Jopson had been present to witness that little incident, there's really only so much he could possibly fuss about proper behavior. Besides, it's not as though Jopson is known for his poor judgement or impulsivity, so James is entirely willing to believe he has good reason for anything he might do.

And this does seem like good reason, though certainly not one James is expecting, and he furrows his eyebrows a little in confusion. "What was he intending to accomplish?" James doesn't know Hickey well--which he's fine with--but he does think that Hickey is also the type to act with intention. What could he have hoped to gain by upsetting Kate, other than attracting the ire of people who care about her? Perhaps retaliation for some perceived slight, or even a failed attempt at manipulation, but the explanation is the only part he's wondering about. That Hickey deserved whatever Jopson had done is not in question.