Children eyed little-known cousins with distrust and they, together with grown-up daughters, had to entertain the company with piano-playing or recitations while their own parents beamed complacently.

• 孩子们用怀疑的眼神盯着那些他们从未听说过的远房兄弟们，同时，他们不得不和那些已经成人的女儿们弹奏钢琴来招待客人，而他们的父母此时正微笑着沾沾自喜。