Sylvester Alforn

**Sylvester**: Four times.

— *Ghosts of Greenglass House*, pg. 226 |  | ”

****S******ylvester Alforn** came to Greenglass House with the Waits. He is in love with Lucky Julnissen.

## Biography

### *Ghosts of Greenglass House*

Sylvester came to Greenglass House with a group of Waits. He helped Mrs. Kirkegrim when her hood caught fire, aiding Rob and Mr. Larven in dunking her head into a bucket. After she kicked Mr. Larven in the face and he let go, Sylvester lost control and fell down along with her. The Waits were invited in to Greenglass House.

Sylvester introduced himself, apologizing for the bells but explaining that they were tradition, which should not be messed with, and Milo introduced himself as well. Sylvester offered to help Lucky out of her coat, and Lucky agreed, because Milo was there. Sylvester did, then winked at Milo and attempted to kiss Lucky, but she slapped him in the face and rebuked him. Sylvester seemed very resigned, and slightly embarrassed. Lucky introduced herself, saying that Sylvester was not necessarily her friend.

Sylvester and Rob spoke with each other, and when Emmett asked to sketch them, Sylvester agreed. He later reminded Lucky, who was getting very angry at Rob, that she'd insisted on him to be the sweep. While Rob cleaned the chimney, Sylvester lay on the couch. When Milo suggested the guests tell stories, Sylvester seemed skeptical. Sylvester later put a pillow over his face, and Milo hoped he'd wiped off his face paint. Mrs. Pine later noted that Sylvester had gotten a room on the fifth floor. Sylvester saluted tiredly to Milo.

Milo and Meddy found Sylvester awake late at night, in the living room. They were suspicious that Sylvester was hiding stolen things, but he seemed to be cleaning. Sylvester had headphones on and was humming to himself, busy arranging cleaning supplies. Sylvester began to clean the mantel, then noticed Milo, turned off the music, and greeted the boy. He explained that he was trying to make up for the chaos, and confirmed with Milo that it was okay to use the Pines' cleaning supplies. Sylvester explained that he needed to have it done to sleep, and had known Rob wasn't going to do it. Milo helped Sylvester get the things back where they belonged, then provided him with a duster, to his delight. Milo offered to get him coffee, and Sylvester declined, then admitted that it would be nice. Sylvester was delighted with the snack and thanked Milo. Sylvester noted that he didn't want Milo to tell the Pines that he'd done it, if it didn't come up. Milo agreed, and they left.

Meddy watched Sylvester to make sure he was just cleaning and not hiding stolen things. He only cleaned the entire time she watched him. Sylvester then fell asleep on the couch, never using his room. Mrs. Caraway noticed Sylvester on the couch and Milo explained what had happened. Lucky asked Rob if he had cleaned the room, and Rob guessed that it had been Sylvester's work. Lucky made Sylvester a cup of coffee. Rob shook Sylvester awake (with difficulty), and explained that Lucky had made him coffee. Sylvester sat up in disbelief, and Rob explained that Lucky knew he'd cleaned up the mess for her sake. Sylvester thanked Lucky, who had been sitting so she could see his reaction, and she thanked him. Meddy explained to Milo, who still did not understand the situation, that Sylvester had cleaned the room to make Lucky feel better, after the events of the previous night. Sylvester sat alone on the couch, drank his coffee, and occasionally looked at Lucky.

Lucky noted that Sylvester had gone caroling before, but had not been there the time the Waits had come to Greenglass House the previous time. Sylvester, before understanding that this was what she was saying, insisted that he had been with the Waits before four times, and she and Mr. Hakelbarend weren't the only ones. The guests prepared to tell stories, and the Waits helped clean up. Sylvester was to clear the table, but Marzana did it for him, making him sit down next to Lucky. He smiled, embarrassed, and thanked her. When Milo came downstairs again, Lucky and Sylvester were talking to each other. During Mr. Hakelbarend's tale, Sylvester sat near Lucky.

When Milo explained how someone had poisoned Mr. Larven's punch, Mr. Larven took offense, and Sylvester insisted that no one thought Mr. Larven had poisoned it himself. Rob blamed Lucky for making him clean the chimney, and Sylvester tried to comfort her. He seemed to believe Milo about the poisoned punch. During his story, Mr. Hakelbared mentioned how many people thought the Liberty to be a madhouse, and Sylvester laughed. He later mentioned the other name of the Liberty, which had supported its reputation as a madhouse. During Lucky's story, Sylvester watched her intently. Sylvester offered to help Lizzie. Sylvester conversed with Emmett and Owen at the dining table.

Lucky thought the Waits should leave, and Sylvester agreed. He discovered a collection of locks hung from his coat, and wondered what they were doing there. Sylvester insisted that he did not know what they were doing there, and that he was not a thief. Sylvester seemed to think everyone thought him guilty, after various people asked him whether he knew anything about the locks being there. Clem, however, did not think him the culprit, returning his coat after picking and removing the locks. He insisted to Mr. Larven that if one of them was a thief, they should be decent. Sylvester agreed to stay until the items were returned, wanting people to understand his innocence. Sylvester continued to stay after Mrs. Kirkegrim left. When Meddy appeared to the guests, Sylvester yelped, and Lucky swatted at him. After it was revealed that Mrs. Kirkegrim was Violet Cross and everyone began to examine the haul, Sylvester assembled the spherical chalkboard. The Waits left, and Sylvester offered to walk with Lucky and carry back the hobby horse things. Lucky admitted that she would like that.

### *The Thief Knot*

Meddy told Marzana that she'd really liked Sylvester's shirt, and so Milo had found her one. She mentioned that Sylvester had come to Greenglass House with Marzana the previous Christmas.

## Physical appearance

Sylvester has wild red hair. While caroling with the Waits, he wears a lot of bells on his jacket, which bother him. He also wears ribbon and fabric scraps, along with blue-green paint on his face. Afterward, he wears a T-shirt that reads "Up in the air, Junior Birdmen!" with a masked bird superhero on it.

## Personality and traits

Sylvester is generally friendly. He is in love with Lucky and goes far to show it, though he seems slightly embarrassed.

## Gallery

**Take a look at our **gallery for Sylvester Alforn****.