I've seen a dozen of them on his shoulders at one time.Queer.

Queer." His hands made the rasping sound as he rubbed them.

Suddenly he lifted a lid from the stove and peered into the fire-box.
"He put fuel in here less than an hour ago," he said.

"Wonder where he can be mouching at this hour.

The dogs are gone." He scanned the table.
"No supper.