In "Silver on the Tree" by Susan Cooper, Stephen recalls a humorous moment involving a stranger who referred to a group as "Old Ones." The way the stranger emphasized the phrase, particularly with capital letters, made it sound significant and almost peculiar, revealing a sense of mystery in the term.

This memory highlights Stephen's impression of the peculiarities of language and the way certain phrases can evoke a deeper meaning. The emphasis on the term points to the existence of an ancient group or wisdom, suggesting that there are layers to such designations that warrant deeper exploration.