Just as they were seating themselves another member of the
family appeared--this time a second cousin from Guatemala. Like
the grandmother, he was as ignorant of English as Kirk was of
Spanish, but he had a pair of frightfully intense black eyes with
which he devoured the American. These orbs exercised an unusual
effect upon the caller; they were unwinking, the lids were wide
open, and the brilliance of the pupils was heightened by the
startling whiteness surrounding them. They were like the eyes of a
frightened horse.
It was very trying to be the target of so many glances and to know
that he was being studied like a bug beneath a microscope, yet
Kirk managed to keep a degree of self-possession, making up his
mind to display a modest reticence that could not help appearing
admirable. But he soon found that this did not suit. Instead of
resuming their conversation, the entire assemblage of Garavels
waited calmly for their caller to begin, and he realized in a
panic that he was expected to make conversation. He cast about
madly for a topic.
His host helped him to get started, and he did fairly well until
one of the Misses Garavel began to translate his remarks to the
old lady and the ferocious cousin from Guatemala.
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