Mr. Knox went on to explain that prosperous Englishmen dominated the Commonwealth government in Williamsburg, crafting laws that were almost invariably self-serving, and often to the detriment of lower-class Virginians and those like the Scots who competed in trade between London and the colonies. A strict man in his personal habits, Mr. Knox condemned especially the wealthy families who patterned their social lives after the aristocracy of England, and who, he said, often outdid the people “back home in London” in drunkenness, frivolity, and apparent obsession with their pedigrees. Henry was surprised to perceive the intensity of his older friend’s animosity toward the landed gentry, some of whom were his firm’s largest customers.

Later, Henry and Sophie agreed that her uncle was not completely logical in his explanations. His sympathies seemed to be with tenants, yeomen, and small farmers, but he had to admit that, as a merchant, he was forced to cast his lot with the dominant elite on matters that affected his own company.

The next Sunday, Henry somewhat reluctantly asked a question that revealed his relative ignorance about political alignments and the history of the mother country.

“Mr. Knox, what’s the difference between Whigs and Tories?”

Mr. Knox laughed softly and responded, “Well, both names came about a hundred years ago from the other side as something of a curse. ‘Whig’ originally meant a horse thief, and later referred to people like me—a Scottish Presbyterian inclined to question the policies of a king. ‘Tory’ referred to an outlaw whose first loyalty was to the pope. Later, the Whigs were inclined to be those who placed their faith in business and commerce while Tories represented the Anglican Church and honorary titles—all tied to favors handed out by the crown. Nowadays, I would say that Tories and Loyalists are about the same, while Whigs are those that are emboldened to question some of the decisions made by King George the Third. As you can well imagine, there are radicals on both sides who tend to bring credit or discredit on the names, depending on the attitude of the observer.”

Sophie and Henry spoke almost simultaneously: “I guess that makes me a Whig.”

Mr. Knox said, “I may be one also.”

Sophie was familiar with Mr. Knox’s prejudices and was reluctant to probe them openly, but alone with Henry she analyzed their conversations with pleasure, humor, and objectivity. Although she usually agreed with her uncle, she could understand and empathize even with pompous aristocrats, slave owners, English merchants, and the laggard workers in the tailor shop. Henry, on the other hand, almost invariably had sharp and carefully defined opinions on almost every subject; there was seldom any middle ground for him. Inevitably, they argued often, but there was one subject on which they agreed: they would be going together when Henry was ready to depart for western North Carolina.