What does past perfect mean?​

The past perfect tense refers to an event that occurred/happened before another event that also occurred in the past.

Example: When they arrived, we had already started eating.

faithful servants eumaeus and philaetius:

his ragged vest then drawn aside disclosed the sign conspicuous, and the scar exposed: eager they view'd, with joy they stood amazed with tearful eyes o'er all their master gazed:

these servants know ulysses by the scar he got when he was a child - so when he showed them the mark, they immediately knew this is truly their master and they hugged him, finally starting to believe his words.

so whats the question?