Speaking in Minneapolis Tuesday night, Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. made glancing—but positive—comments about the Supreme Court’s new justice Brett Kavanaugh, telling his audience that the court’s oral arguments were more orderly during Kavanaugh’s first week on the bench last week.

When a new justice arrives, Roberts mused, “the eight who were there before behave themselves better. It’s really like having a new in-law at Thanksgiving dinner. You know, Uncle Fred will put on a clean shirt.”