[Joshua nodded as the man sat, but his smile remained even as he wondered if this man complimented and flattered everyone that he met. It gave his bookish mind something to focus on other than the praise the other was very prematurely heaping on him.]

I do appreciate your kind words although I am afraid that you have not met my older brother Clive. He too has blue eyes like mine.

[He had to change the topic.]

However, I don't see a conflict here, it's just that my people don't speak so admirably of someone that they only just met.

[At least to his meager knowledge of things like this.]