She began to chatter to her mother at an amazing rate, trying repeatedly to imitate the hissing sound which the Latin races always perceive in Anglo-Saxon speech.

Her mother reproved her instantly.

To make amends, the girl offered Iris a fine pomegranate.

Iris, of course, lost nothing of this bit of by-play.

It was almost the first touch of nature that she had discovered among the amazing inhabitants of Fernando Noronha.
These small amenities helped to pass the time, but Iris soon noted an air of suspense in the older woman's attitude.