My companion and I were alone with the stars: the misty river of the Milky Way flowing across the sky, the patterns of the constellations standing out bright and clear, a blazing planet low on the horizon.

Millions of stars blazed in darkness, and on the far shore a few lights burned in cottages. Otherwise there was no reminder of human life.

No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world. The people had done it themselves.

It occurred to me that if this were a sight that could be seen only once in a century, this little headland would be thronged with spectators.