A Farthing Will Do [antikvár]

'Never mind tomorrow evening!' Joyce Moore shouted excitedly, running into the midst of the circle. 'They're lighting the one on Barrow Hill tonighű I heard it from the vicar himself. He says the war'll be over at midnight so that's when it should be lit, and he wants everyone who can get there up on the hill in time to see it. Kiddies and all -they can sleep in tomorrow, keep 'em out of the way while we get the bunting and flags up and the party ready.' She stopped, panting for breath, and they all looked at each other, excitement dawning in their eyes at last. 'TonightP Heather exclaimed. 'The party's starting tonightY She whirled round and pulled Ruth into a fierce hug. 'Ruth - Joyce - the war's going to be over tonight - at midnight! We're going to have the biggest and the best party this village has ever seen before, because the war's going to be overV They stared at each other and burst into wild laughter. In another moment, they were all joining in the dance and then the men, talking in a different group, and the children who were racing around the green, joined in as well. The entire village was there, leaping and skipping in frenzied joy, as the meaning of the word over dawned on them at last and they glimpsed a future that would be free of fear, free of death, free of loss and pain and anguish.