The concert concluded with a short speech by Sir Henry. The final selection, though almost a hymn to the British, was to be played and sung to honor all the Allied nations who needed what the popular piece had to remind them all.
As the orchestra played Sir Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circum-stance No, 1, familiar as music played at graduations, to everyone's surprise and their applause, dozens of boys and girls, cleanly but shabbily dressed, began walking slowly up the aisles and onto the stage. The printed program identified them as a Combined Boys and Girls Refugee Choir of children who had come from all over Europe to seek safety in England. They gathered together to sing for just this one concert.
After the orchestra played the Elgar processional, the children sang the words written for it, "Land of Hope and Glory." Barbara and Stephen joined everyone in the hall as they then stood in singing the chorus:
Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the free,
How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee?
Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set;
God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.
While singing, Barbara's thoughts were divided between the homeless and mostly parentless children, Stephen, and the war.
An Allied invasion of Europe was expected any day. That was why three million soldiers including a million Yanks were now in England. That also was why both she and the man she loved were there.
Her role in any invasion would be played over the skies of England, ferrying more fighter planes and bombers to bases for British, American, and other allied pilots to fly over France and then Germany. Stephen's role, she feared, would be more dangerous. So, too, it would be for most or all of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen singing together in the concert hall that night, and those legions of others outside and throughout England, eagerly waiting to take part in the greatest military crusade in history.
Stephen took Barbara's hand in his and pressed it as they sang the final chorus of the inspirational "Land of Hope and Glory" that finally brought tears to her eyes.
Barbara could have stayed out all night, but Stephen had to report back to his Special Forces unit by a quarter past midnight. They had a whole hour to spend together after the concert, and Barbara suggested they walk to Waterloo Bridge.
There was nothing special to do or see there, but to Barbara it was probably the most romantic spot in London. She wanted to be there with Stephen.