The narrator's cousin Donabed comes to live with them in America after his mother dies, and initially he is well-received by his uncle. The pursuit of quiet study and morality has left him with a seriousness that the narrator's father describes as 'heaviness,' asking his children to 'be heavy' like their cousin Donabed is. Encouraged by this positive response, Donabed begins to lecture them constantly about their behaviour - to the extent that the siblings begin to dread their cousin's extended monologues. He frequently praises the virtues of art, and condemns everything else they learn in school. By now, their father is a little confused by Donabed's 'heaviness,' but he does not say anything until the sanctimonious tone of these lectures reduces the youngest sister to tears. After this there is a great schism in the family, and the mother is left working hard to keep the peace between the patriarch and the orphan Donabed. Within a week, she tragically falls sick, and it is assumed by the members of the family that her heart gave out because she was tired of this conflict. Now the father has decided that Donabed must go - but before he can confront him, a policeman comes to the door looking for Donabed. At the sight of law enforcement, the father is shocked, insisting that they're good people that have done nothing wrong, but it turns out that Donabed has been ripping out pages from library books and has been reported for this offence. It is a minor charge, but the father is left deeply affected. The siblings, who had been eager to see Donabed go, are left wondering if his absence is worth the emotional and physical toll on their parents.