Поющие в терновнике

           Butinsteadofthecrisp,absolutelyOxfordtonesoftheannouncer,therecamethegenteel,unmistakablyAustralianvoiceofthePrimeMinister,RobertGordonMenzies.

           "FellowAustralians.ItismymelancholydutytoinformyouofficiallythatinconsequenceofthepersistencebyGermanyinherinvasionofPoland,GreatBritainhasdeclaredwaruponher,andthat,asaresult,Australiaisalsoatwar…

           "ItmaybetakenthatHitler’sambitionisnottounitealltheGermanpeopleunderonerule,buttobringunderthatruleasmanycountriesascanbesubduedbyforce.Ifthisistogoon,therecanbenosecurityinEuropeandnopeaceintheworld…TherecanbenodoubtthatwhereGreatBritainstands,therestandthepeopleoftheentireBritishworld…

           "Ourstayingpower,andthatoftheMotherCountry,willbebestassistedbykeepingourproductiongoing,continuingouravocationsandbusiness,maintainingemployment,andwithit,ourstrength.Iknowthatinspiteoftheemotionswearefeeling,Australiaisreadytoseeitthrough.

           "MayGod,inHismercyandcompassion,grantthattheworldmaysoonbedeliveredfromthisagony."

           Therewasalongsilenceinthedrawingroom,brokenbythemegaphonaltonesofashort-waveNevilleChamberlainspeakingtotheBritishpeople;FeeandMeggielookedattheirmen.

           "IfwecountFrank,therearesixofus,"saidBobintothesilence."AllofusexceptFrankareontheland,whichmeanstheywon’twanttoletusserve.Ofourpresentstockmen,Ireckonsixwillwanttogoandtwowillwanttostay."