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The Wolf-Leader · Chapter
VIII explained
The narrator spends the night at Mocquet's house before the hunt for the old wolf.
What happens
The narrator spends the night at Mocquet's house before the hunt for the old wolf. Mocquet prepares his bed and they share a meal. In the morning, Mocquet reveals that the wolf has been tracked to the Three Oaks Covert, and they prepare to join the hunt with other hunters.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Hunt
The chapter focuses on the preparations for the hunt, emphasizing the camaraderie and rituals associated with hunting.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Leave the house empty; the devil will be there.”
It's wise to have a drink before leaving, as an empty house invites trouble.
Mocquet uses this proverb to encourage the narrator to have a drink before the hunt.