It’s a lovely clear night, said Mair’s father as he came in through the door, and I just heard an owl outside. Mair knew what an owl was because she had seen one in her story book.

Hoot hoot, said Mair. Would you like to go out into the garden and hear it? said her father. Yes please, yes please, said Mair. I haven’t seen an owl before, only in a book. You won’t be able to see this one either, Mair, it’s too dark, but perhaps you’ll be able to hear it. It wasn’t very cold outside, and the sky was clear.