That reaction is unusual to see from someone he doesn't know, but certainly one he's seen before. In the circus it was common, particularly when he'd accidentally startle one of the fellow workers while moving around in the shadow.

His expression remains unchanged until she describes the ship as a dirigible; English is neither his first nor his second language, and while the word sounds familiar the definition is one he can't quite put his thumb on.

"You'll have to forgive me," he says, eyebrows still drawn together in thought. "I know the word, but I can't quite remember the definition. Do you mean to say a ship?"