Chapter 15 Summary

All of the men were home at Drogheda on Sunday September 3rd,when the Prime Minister declared war on Germany. All of the Cleary men want to enlist immediately, but Bob prevails as the voice of reason. He reminds them that wool is essential to the war effort, as are other Drogheda products like beef, tallow, glue and lanolin. Finally, Bob agrees if Meggie works full time and two stockmen stay on, two of the brothers can enlist if the war intensifies. Jack and Hughie clamor to go, but Bob points out that as the least experienced stockmen, Jims and Patsy should go. The twins are only sixteen, but they are sure in another year they will look old enough to enlist. Meggie says a silent prayer of gratitude that Dane is only an infant.

By 1941, the twins are fighting in Egypt. Home...