Answer:
The lines are "As for us, we’re quite fortunate. Luckier than millions of people. It’s quiet and safe here, and we’re using our money to buy food. We’re so selfish that we talk about “after the war” and look forward to new clothes and shoes, when actually we should be saving every penny to help others when the war is over, to salvage whatever we can."
'Knock on wood' is an idiom meaning to say for something not to happen, or maybe after it happened.
For example:
"We will win this basketball game, knock on wood."
In this case, he means that he doesn't want the opposite to happen; losing.
Answer:
1.to move with a rapid sweeping stroke: to whisk the dishes off the table. 2. to sweep with a whisk broom or brush. 3. to draw, snatch, etc., lightly and rapidly: to whisk a child from danger. 4. to whip to a froth, as eggs, or blend, as a sauce, using a whisk.
Explanation:
Semicolons are used to either link 2 independent clauses or sperate a list of nouns