And Nan was the freest and most independent of them all.
It was on a splendid morning in July that as she splashed along the marshy edge of a stream in hot pursuit of one of the biggest otters she had ever seen, a well-known voice accosted her by name.
"Hullo, Nan! I wondered if you would turn up when they told me you were still at home." Nan whisked round, up to her ankles in mud.
"Hullo, Jerry, it's you, is it ?" was her unceremonious reply.

"Pleased to see you, my boy.

But don't talk to me now.

I can't think of anything but business." She was off with the words, not waiting to shake hands.

But Jerry Lister was not in the least discouraged by this treatment.