Lord Burnley.
The enemy Commander-in-Chief has asked for
twelve hours' armistice to propose fresh terms of
peace. Our own Commander has given him six.
Sir Robert.
[As before.] It is the beginning of the end! I
knew it must come soon! You have released the
report?
Lord Burnley.
Yes. It will be all over the world to-morrow
morning—before midnight, perhaps.
Sir Robert.
[Rapturously.] To-night of all nights, too! What
a Christmas greeting! Already I hear it crackling
through the dark air all over Europe! Already I
hear the Christmas bells ringing! Peace to men,
after all the bloodshed and barbarity! We have a
Cabinet at ten in the morning. You must be here,
Burnley.
Lord Burnley.
I shall be.
Sir Robert.
[Carried away, enthusiastically, with exaltation.]
Our work comes now. We must hold the ground
the free peoples of the world have won. No more
brute force! No more military despotism! No
more of the wail of death that has been echoing
round the world! If it is to be peace it must be
worth all the blood and all the tears that have been
shed for it by the sons and daughters of this dear
land. And it will be—it shall!
