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reputation depends upon it.”
    “Well, come on. Out with it,” Uncle William snapped. “Say what you want to say.”
    “I just wish to acknowledge that something was plagiarized over thirty years. But it was not my father’s seminary work.”
    “Enough,” Grandfather Clement said. “I have no time for the son of a disgruntled former student to bombard my home on Christmas Eve, making false accusations because he has an old bone to pick with the seminary.” And then in a moment that may not have been intended, Grandfather Clement added, “Now go back to Poughkeepsie.”
    Henry was silent before smiling tensely. “You remember my father better than you let on, Mr. Moore.”
    And with that Charles and Hester showed the visitor back outside. But Maggie and Henry locked eyes before he disappeared from the Great Room. His look was apologetic as though he was ashamed he hadn’t mentioned anything that morning. And Maggie couldn’t help but feel similarly sorry.
    Maggie walked over to the hall just in time to see Henry adjust the cap on his head before the front door shut behind him. They shared one last glance as Maggie tried to convey her sadness for how poorly Grandfather Clement and Uncle William treated him.
    The Moore family, still stunned by Henry’s sudden arrival and even quicker departure, didn’t notice Maggie in the doorway.
    “What balderdash!” Uncle William finally spat. “On Christmas Eve! To come here like that? The man must surely be insane.”
    “Are you all right, Father?” Aunt Emily asked.
    No longer paying attention to his family, Grandfather Clement was facing the window, looking out at the seminary.
    “What? Of course, I’m all right,” Grandfather Clement grunted. “I have dealt with my share of unhappy students and their family members. It’s just unfortunate that the young man decided to call at this hour while everyone is here for Christmas. He’s no doubt overcome by his father’s passing. Only amplified by the holiday season. In my lifetime, I have witnessed what such grief can do to men.” Grandfather Clement spoke rather manically.
    “What did he mean when he said something was plagiarized thirty years ago?” Dr. Ogden mumbled to himself, but the rest of the room easily heard.
    “What do you mean, what did he mean?” Uncle William asked sharply. “The man was clearly crazy. Spouting strange things. All of it.” Uncle William then added another bit of flimsy scripture while waving his arms. “Like a madman who throws deadly flaming arrows at his neighbors and then he comes around and says, oh! I’m sorry. It was just in sport!”
    Although Maggie was standing in the doorway with her back toward the Great Room, she sensed Louis mouthing
problem verb
her direction. They had made up the term for when Uncle William inaccurately recited a biblical proverb, which happened more often than not.
    “It was all quite odd. No doubt about that,” Uncle CF commented. “But there has to be something behind what he was saying.”
    Unable to contain the question nagging her the most, Maggie spun around and spoke before Uncle William could burst into another confusing tirade.
    “How did you know Henry was from Poughkeepsie, Grandfather?”
    The entire room focused its attention on the girl in the doorway.
    If the question had surprised Grandfather Clement, he didn’t let it show. Instead he replied harshly, “Most Livingstons live up in the Hudson Valley, particularly around Poughkeepsie. A ridiculous lot.”
    The family continued to speculate about the true intention of Henry Livingston’s visit. But Maggie couldn’t help notice that Uncle Benjamin and her mother didn’t contribute to the discussion.
    The Christmas festivities did not return to the same level of excitement they had reached right after dinner, and soon everyone began retiring for the evening as the clock chimed ten.
    Maggie headed upstairs with Gertrude who whispered giddily, “The rest of the family can say