“Mrs. Sally Mumfries, and Carla and Ruth Mumfries,” he said.

The three women walked on to the stage and sat in the seats behind the podium. There was a rustle in the audience. No one knew whether or not to applaud.

“Mrs. Margaret Mason Hanover,” the student president declared.

She moved toward the center of the stage, holding herself in a regal pose, chin tilted up. She wore a dark-gray dress. Her hair was in its bun. Again, there was an awkward silence. Everyone in the audience seemed to be asking, do you applaud a presidential widow?

“Clap,” O’Connor said softly.

Toward the rear of the hall, a woman stood and began clapping. A few students followed tentatively, applauding but remaining in their seats. More joined in. Several rose to their feet. The applause gained momentum. It grew louder. More students stood. The clapping picked up pace. Addis saw young men and women crying. Then everyone in the hall was standing and applauding. The volume increased.

Margaret had taken a seat next to Sally Mumfries. She nodded to the crowd. The ovation continued. She clasped her hands at chest level. The audience would not stop.

“Speech,” one student cried.

O’Connor was smiling; a tear ran down her cheek. We must be nearing a minute, Addis thought.

Sally Mumfries handed Margaret a handkerchief and said something to her. Margaret stood up, and the applause went on. She walked to the podium. The student president stepped aside. Margaret’s face was red. She wiped her tears with the handkerchief.

“Please, please,” she said into the microphone. “Please.”

The students remained on their feet. The clapping did not cease.

“Please, please,” she repeated.

Slowly, the applause faded. The crowd began to sit.

“Please,” she said once more.

The audience became quiet.

“Thank you. I had not expected to say anything today. But that welcome was—”

She sobbed once. Addis looked at Mumfries. He was standing stoic, off-stage. Kelly was red-faced; he was fidgeting, and looked at his watch. Yes, Ham, Addis said to himself, this is live on the networks and the cable news channels.

“All I can say is thank you. I know our son Jack would appreciate it, if he were here. I can’t wait to tell him about it.”

She paused and again wiped a tear. O’Connor was squeezing Addis’s arm.

“As you know, my husband was supposed to give a speech here today to announce a program that would bring computers to needy children in schools across the country. Though he is no longer with us, I hope that his ideas and ideals will live on. That’s the least we owe him.”

Applause. A few students returned to their feet. Kelly was whispering to Mumfries. Margaret Hanover waited for the crowd to sit.