The original first page of Volume 1. As you can see, it contains the now legendary (at least in the Pixie Offices) phrase "It was August." I am considering putting the line back into the reprint edition of Volume 1 and into the US edition when it is issued. The present opening is the next line after what you see here. You will also notice that there has been more of the book beforehand. Unfortunately I now have absolutely no memory of this.