The Thornberrys pay a visit to Nigel's parents in Scotland at Thornberry Hall right before Nigel is to be made a knight by the Queen of England. Once there, Nigel's mother, Cordelia, presses him to accept a tenured professorship at Oxford. The prospect of the family settling down upsets Eliza but thrills Debbie. Meanwhile, Eliza rushes to save some golden eagles from eating poisoned meat from a trapper.