The rest of the year seemed to fly by, with news of victory after victory reaching their ears. Surely the war would be over soon? It did not rule their lives with fear as much in the recent months--not since D-Day. They all felt buoyed up, and hopeful. There were even noises made about Juliet possibly going off to university to do a degree in the fall. But--in what? She was no closer to finding her life's calling now than she'd been four years ago. She didn't really want to learn to write, or paint, or do sums and figures. She knew all she needed to know about the rocks and the trees around New Moon. Bea was going to do a course in Domestic Science at Redmond.

"Because I want to be the perfect wife for David," she said proudly.

But Juliet already could make a cake that was as light as a feather, and balance the household budget perfectly.

"You could go and do a course in literature," said Mother.

"I do like to read," Juliet mused. "But I don't like to write about what I've read. It takes the fun out of it. I'd rather just enjoy it."

"Politics!" was Uncle Perry's idea.

"But women can't run for office," Juliet reminded him.

"Not today--but soon--soon!" Uncle Perry said.

Aunt Ilse said that Juliet should do a course in fashion design. But then Aunt Ilse looked over some of Juliet's drawing and concluded that perhaps it would be best if she didn't. Juliet Kent and Ilse Miller had very different ideas about what was fashionable.

So the idea was dropped. They didn't really have the money to send her anyway as of yet--business in Father's gallery had been moderate but not good. People did not buy paintings when there was still a war going on.

Juliet was glad to stay home. Mother was writing another book, so she took complete control of the day-to-day household affairs. She managed to put three square meals on the table without using any butter, sugar or flour, all of which were being heavily rationed. She went to the pictures with Bea and Joy, and throughout the winter was courted by one of the Lewison boys over at the Bay Shore.

Juliet allowed Rob Lewison to take her to dances and dinner-dates. She even allowed him to kiss her. He was a nice boy--with dark, unruly hair and peculiarly light brown eyes. He listened to her, and though he was not a romantic like Blair, Juliet could see in his eyes how much he liked her, though he seldom expressed it in words. He hadn't gone off to fight because he had a slight limp--but Juliet didn't mind it. It have him a jaunty, jolly gait, as if he were in a hurry to get everywhere. Rob was a banker in Charlottetown. For weeks the family heard of nothing but Rob this, and Rob that.

"I believe if he asks her, she'll marry him," said Mother to Aunt Ilse sadly. They had never quite given up hope that there would be a match between their respective daughter and son.

Rob did ask her--a whispered, hurried little question in the car as they parked in front of New Moon one night. Juliet almost said yes--there was a full moon after all. But out of the corner of her eye she saw Allan's ring, still gleaming on her finger. She hadn't removed it, not for a second, since that day when she heard that he was found.

"No--no!" Juliet gasped. "I'm sorry Rob--but no, no thank you. I can't marry you at all. And--I don't think we should go out on dates together anymore. Goodnight!"

Juliet went up to her room and cried. When she was young she thought she would like to have men proposing to her all the time. She had imagined refusing them gratefully, with a dignified air about her. She never imagined it was going to be like this. Why, it hurt--horribly!

"I wish I hadn't had to refuse him," Juliet wept.

"Why did you, then?" Mother asked, eyeing the distraught Juliet.

"Because I can't marry him," said Juliet. "Rob is a terribly nice fellow, Mother, but he pales in comparison to--to"

"To Allan," Mother finished for her, patting her hand.

"But I could have been happy with Rob Lewison," Juliet cried. "I like him ever so much."

Mother nodded wisely. Yes, Juliet had made the right decision. Emily Kent knew the difference between love and like.

A few other lads haunted New Moon throughout the winter, squiring Juliet to the Christmas and New Year's dances, taking her ice-skating and out to the new Chinese restaurant in Shrewsbury. Juliet neither encouraged nor discouraged them in their affections, and soon they all grew tired of waiting and faded off into the woodwork.

In the early spring Juliet went to visit Bella and Doug. They had been married nearly a year and were the picture of marital bliss. What a dear, sweet, slate-roofed house they had. And their car, with the enormous tail fins! Bella kept the house very neat and cozy, and there were always students of Doug's coming to call. Several of them looked disappointed that Professor Kent's twin sister would not be staying in Guelph permanently.

Before her visit ended, Bella pulled Juliet aside to tell her what she and Doug hoped for later in the year--around Christmastime, actually. Juliet threw her arms around Bella in excitement.

"I'm going to be an aunt!" she said, and tried out the words, "Aunt Juliet!"

Back to New Moon--it was the height of spring. The delicate, starry mayflowers were out. The honeysuckle in the old graveyard carried its sweet scent everywhere. The leaves on the trees were the palest, goldest green. Everything seemed fresh and new, they way it does after a spring rain. Juliet ran around the place and bathed in the beauty of it all.

"I feel as if something wonderful were about to happen," she said. "But I always feel that way in spring!"

It was a feeling, not a prophecy, but something good happened anyway. Juliet went back to the house and found Mother weeping into her chicken salad in the kitchen. Juliet stared at her in wonderment.

"It just came through on the radio," Mother said, smiling through her tears. "Germany is suing the Allies for peace."

Juliet sat--stood--walked in circles around the kitchen--and like Mother, laughed and cried.

It didn't mean the war was over--Japan was still in the fight. No, it didn't mean peace--yet. But they were halfway there.

"I shall always remember this day," said Juliet, sitting out on the verandah, with Bea. "I'm going to stay up all night--I want this day to last for as long as possible. Bea, I hadn't realized what a big weight has been on my chest all of these years until it was lifted! Japan can't last much longer. Allan will be coming home soon--soon!--now."

"Coming home--to you," said Bea cryptically, but wouldn't say anything more.