THE SURRENDER The moon was full on Christmas Eve.

It shone in such splendour that the whole world was transformed into a fairyland of black and silver.

Stella stood on the verandah of the Green Bungalow looking forth into the dazzling night with a tremor at her heart.

The glory of it was in a sense overwhelming.

It made her feel oddly impotent, almost afraid, as if some great power menaced her.