The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-10-27

The floor of the witness box was covered with worn, faded, brown and white linoleum. On the ledge of the box reposed a Bible, 5 1-2 in- ches by 3 1-2, and @ 6 inch by 4 white "oath card" on which in large black bold faced type was printed for witnesses:
 T swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give to the court shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"
 Those Present
 Only the judge, court officials, the principals, counsel witnesses and the press were present. The public gal- leries were closed.
 The lean, brown faced, tall, spec tacled Norman Birkett sat at the corner of a big table with Mrs. Simpson at his left hand and his assistant, Walter Frampton, on his right. Their backs were towards the press.
 The sun disappeared as the judge entered, throwing the dingy court room into semi-gloom. The whole court, including Mrs. Simpson, rose. MT. Justice Hawke bowed and took his seat. He wore black robes.
 Proceedings Opened
 The clerk announced: simpson vs. Simpson" Birkett arose and opened the proceedings. He imme- diately sent Mrs. Simpson to the stand. She wore a trim, dark-blue rough serge costume with short fashionable coat, white blouse with collar peeking over her coat collar and a dark-blue, round sailor hat perched at a pert angle over her dark hair.
 She wore no gloves and her tinted nails were noticeable. She seemed nervous and shifted her feet as she answered questions. Sometimes she jerked her head and twisted her shoulders, keeping her hands mo- tionless on the ledge in front or her.
 She spoke in & soft voice, with a distinct and rather hard American accent. She took the oath clearly but her subsequent answers were almost inaudible.
 Gave Pat Answers
 Mrs. Simpson, obviously well coached, gave pat answers, some times almost before Brickett finished asking the question. She would turn slightly towards Birkett to lls- ten to the question and then back towards the bench to give the an- swer.
 The press caught only occasional glimpses of her profile as she turned her head. She has rather long and pointed nose and sharp feat ures. She is small but shapely.
 When Birkett asked her what prompted her to bring action, she spoke rapidly, as though reciting' Birkett, handed her letters and pho tographs for Identification, asking her to hand them to the judge. She was too short to reach the bench and gave the letters to an under sheriff sitting on the judges right.
 Judge Dissatisfied
 Justice Hawks seemed dissatis- fled with the letters, two of which were not read to the court. He rebuked Birkett, pointing out that they were not sufficient evidence for divorce.
 Spat With Justice
 There was spat between Tramp ton and Justice Hawke when the first waiter was recalled to pick Simpson out from photoghaphers as the man he saw in bed. Frampton said to the witness:
 DO you recognize the figure on the left photograph"
 Hawke interposed in hurt voice:
 "No, no, MT. Frampton. You know better than that. Now you have gone and identified the man for him."
 Frampton, reckoning indignantly, replied:
 If me Lord please, I think the next question will meet your Lord ships wishes"
 Hawke, also red-faced, dabbed at his mouth with his handkerchief and subsided.
 The third witness was hotel porter who had registered the couple. When Frampton wanted the porter to look at the page from the register, it was on the judges desk but the judge said he didn't have 1t. He found it almost Immediately, however, and handed it to the por- ter, apologizing to Frampton.
 Birkett Asked Decree
 Birkett then said briefly.
 That is my clients petition"
 Hawke, settling himself in his seat and tucking his robes around him, began:
 "Well, MT. Birkett, you know what is in my mind"
 Birkett replied he assumed his Lordship was referring to the iden- tity of the correspondent, but al- though her name was not offered in court, it was in the petition, which he hoped would suffice.
 That is just what is in my mind" Hawke replied, but added that if the name were in the petition, 1t would suffice. Birkett then said formally:
 We ask for a decree nisi with costs"
 Hawke, wearily, as though dis gusted with the cut and dried na- ture of the case, replied:
 "YeS, suppose so"