This is Mair, she said to all the other girls and boys in the room, and then she said: You can sit here with Cyril, Malcolm and Mavis near the door. Mair sat down.

What’s your name? she said to the little girl by the side of her. Her name is Mavis, I’m her brother, she doesn’t say anything much, said Malcolm. Mavis shook her head. And I’m Malcolm, and that’s Cyril. I’m Mair, said Mair. Stop talking, Mair, said the teacher. Mair heard her name and looked around to see who had called her but she didn’t see any one.