The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-11-20
gs.

1t, we couldn't either Of us be in more con-
genial company"
With delicious sense Of relaxation he
took down a book from the shelf In the ST.
ting room and began to read. Save for a
soft rustling in the trees near the house and
the equally light football Of his wife moving
about over his head. there was not a sound
to be heard. Janet had told him that she
did not know when the evening meal would
be ready. He was released from the obliga-
ton Of watching the round, unima ginativs
face Of the clock for confirmation Of the hour.
since no hour had been set II was the
height Of luxury not to be expected at .
given moment to do any particular thing
He became so absorbed in his reading tina,
he was no longer conscious OF his wife's e1-
istence. and then, suddenly. he felt her pres
ence. and raised his eyes. She was standing
motionless In the doorway. He sprang up
with the eagerness of lover and closed the
book.
-How-nice you look he said awkwardly
She looked. indeed more than nice. clad in
the gown he had referred to vaguely as COL
ored because he could not have told offhand
what its color was. It was gray. he thought
or blue, or some indefinite shade between
that suitins the gradations running all the
way from brown to silver in her hair
In . contented and companionable silence
they seated themselves at either end Of the
shining mahogany table They felt no obI-
CATION to make talk. He loved to watch tn.
moving about Of her hands among tn. tea
things, hands little thinner than Of old.
with tender veinngs that offset their delicacy
like the veinings on leaf. Her charm wa.
Of the sort that is depeened rather than
diminished by the lapse of years At eighteen
It had been that Of a pretty girl: II was n,
far rarer texture now that she was hrty.nve
her daughters were accustomed to draw the
attention Of their friends to her remarkable
state of preservation. Her husband resented
the unconscious dfsparagement Of their atti.
tude in 80 doing. In his opinion. his vife's
beauty was unqualified.
As the meal progressed. they fell into con.
versation. Suddenly she interrupted the easy
flow Of talk by saying:
Il had to work hard-to get this"
He thought she was referring to the food.
1t was worth it" he declared, lifting
composite bit Of salad upon hi. fork and
examining it appreciatively.
But she dismissed the supper with a ees
ture.
mat wasn't what meant" she said. ~
meant the evening. Thi. evening To mr.
selves can't remember when we've had
an evening alone together before"
4 like it" he responded. DON, vou,-
NO sooner were the words uttered than he
was conscious of their inadequacy.
Like It,. she said ssppointedly. is
that alp"
He flashed her a smile
It's mans way Of putting it, he said
You're not enjoying it one hi. r,o-s than
am. Not bit"
when they entered the sitting room after
supper he lighted pipe and pulled hi. chair
around next to hers because n. said ~.
other side OF the table seemed 50 far away.
I'm so happy tonight" she said. looking
up at him. Then. in burst Of confidence:
John, III tell you secret I'm sick and
tired OF having the girls around all The time.
It's women women. nothing but women from
morning TIL Iizht. You don't know as nuc,