The first to throw his arms around his neck was Don Mateo; then came Don Pedro Miranda; then the mayor, Don Roque; then Don Victoriano and his wife, Doña Rosario, and their three daughters.
Thus a circle soon gathered round the young man, who responded effusively to the greetings, embraces, and hand-pressures which reached him from all sides.
The sailors and women of the place also joined the señores in this demonstration of affection, and nothing was heard but exclamations of delight and admiration.
"How stout you have grown, Gonzalito!"
"You are a fine young man!"
"Why don't you grow like that, Periquito?"
"Don Gonzalo, you are a head taller than all the other fellows of Sarrio!"
"Grow! He has not grown; he has doubled his height. Come here, Grenadier, and embrace me directly."
A shipmaster declared that the youth was as like the Prince of Wales as two drops of water, although Gonzalo might be taller.
The tall figure of the youth certainly towered above the group, and he reached his hand over the heads of those about him to the friends who could not get close to him, and his fine, open countenance beamed on all.