Why is it, I wonder, that I am forever recording my moments of awakening? I assumed Dougald had another early visitor, and I turned over and covered my head with the blanket. The barking persisted, becoming more frenzied by the minute, and I was soon convinced that something must be amiss. I got out of bed and pulled on my dressing-gown and went out to the back door. My two brown dogs pranced excitedly around me, barking and darting out into the yard and back to me again. It was just breaking day, a tight band of cold light splitting the sky in a great arc to the east. I could see no cause for the excitement of the dogs and asked them peevishly why they had woken me so early and had not waited for the rooster to perform his regular office of the day. I was about to return to the warmth of my bed when Dougald and his wolf-like bitch joined us. My dogs became at once subdued and hung close to me. Dougald was wearing an old denim jacket over his jeans. He glanced at me as if he was surprised to see me there.
