The wind is howling out there since yesterday evening. It is coming from the west. Most of the time it is drizzling, too, but there is a downpour every once in a while. As the strong wind drives the rain through many windows, all the shutters facing west are shut tight. There are only a few windows facing east, anyhow. The house is dark, making the persistent sound almost tangible. Besides, the spaces between the shutters and windows—set wide apart in thick stone walls—add some resonance to the howling all around the house. Were I a wolf, or even a dog in need of house manners, I would have started howling along quite some time ago.