the time, in the dream, the words had not made much impression on him.
It was only later and by degrees that they had seemed to take on
significance. He could not now remember whether it was before or after
having the dream that he had seen O'Brien for the first time, nor could he
remember when he had first identified the voice as O'Brien's. But at any
rate the identification existed. It was O'Brien who had spoken to him out
of the dark.
Winston had never been able to feel sure -- even after this morning's
flash of the eyes it was still impossible to be sure whether O'Brien was a
friend or an enemy. Nor did it even seem to matter greatly. There was a
link of understanding between them, more important than affection or
partisanship. 'We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness,' he
had said. Winston did not know what it meant, only that in some way or
another it would come true.
The voice from the telescreen paused. A trumpet call, clear and
beautiful, floated into the stagnant air. The voice continued raspingly:
'Attention! Your attention, please! A newsflash has this moment
arrived from the Malabar front. Our forces in South India have won a
glorious victory. I am authorized to say that the action we are now
reporting may well bring the war within measurable distance of its end. ...