Will Stanton is the youngest of nine children. On the day before his 11th birthday, which falls on Midwinter, Will is wishing for snow. He notices that the animals on his family’s farm have become afraid of him and that the radio erupts with static every time he goes near it. When he accompanies his brother James to collect hay from the neighboring farm, the rooks in the nearby wood are disturbed by his passing.

An old tramp in ragged clothes watches the brothers from across the road. At the farm, James mentions the tramp to farmer Dawson, and Dawson murmurs that the “Walker” is abroad. Before they leave, the farmer gives Will an iron ornament—a circle quartered by a cross. He tells Will to wear it on his belt. The farm’s dairy girl, Maggie Barnes, comes from the farmhouse with a crockery jar of mincemeat for Will to take home to his mother. On the way home, Will and James see the tramp again, but the rooks attack the old man, driving him away.

At the family dinner, Will’s father observes that Will is turning 11—“double-ones.” It’s a significant birthday and should be marked by some special ceremony.