The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-03
CHAPTER V

CHATTER
 With e hurt that became a slow rhythm to which, she moved, Ju- dith went through the gestures of being a hostess Sunday morning at breakfast pouring coffee with gay graciousness; Slipping into the yell low swim suit that made her hair darker, her eyes gold-flecked; swim ming across the pool again and again; presiding at the out-of-door luncheon on the Jagged terrace.
 Then 1t was 4 o'clock and every one was piling into cars to have tea at an authors up the road, She hung back. She needed a few mos ments to examine this strange new experience that had come, to ex- plain 1t to herself, and make ready for tomorrow and tomorrow, all the tomorrows, without Phil.
 As dusk turned into darkness and the odor of wet, damp earth came up from the brook, she went out tc the balcony that swung along the bedrooms. She did not know how long she had been standing there in the shadows, when she became aware that someone was on the bal cony with her.
 Did I frighten youP Bruce and I drove back Q little while ago" It was Millicent. Everyone else Is be- ing merry. I don't like laughter when I can't laugh"
 The girl pulled her chair over to Judith's corner and they sat very still, not talking, not knowing that they didn't. Behind her, in her bed- room, Judith had left one small blue lamp glowing on the dressing table, Its light was dim but when a shadow crossed 1t, the blur was noticeable. Judith turned her head, Had Phil come back7 Did he want to see her, to explain, to take her broken world and put 1t together with his strong, brown fingers? It wasn't Phil. It was woman. AS her head bent over, Just above the blue bulb, her hair was reckleSSly golden. Martal Millicent had turu- cd. too. Together they watched, Marta picked up something, slip- ped 1t Into the pocket Of her white coat, and went out.
 when Marta had been gone fully three minutes, Judith and Milli- cent stepped back into the bedroom. They turned on the saffron lights, drew the curtains and glanced ct the dressing table.
 T had nothing of any value along" Judith said. "What could she have wanted2 Perhaps Q clean handkerchief-" Then she remem- bered. Her hand went to her throat No. she had not put on her pearls this morning. She opened 0 case They were not there. She would not tell Millicent. Better to keep this quiet until Phil could take charge
 But Milliceslt was aware of her action. "You aren't wearing your necklace. Sure it's aroundp"
 Tn Q drawer or something" Ju- dith lied deliberately.
 Millicent nodded. T understand. I hear voices. The others are here. Come on, Judy"
 Marta, yellow-haired, blue-eyed, fragile aS Q Botticelli angel, was standing in front Of the hearth, wearing simple, silken black to- night. The men were talking to her. The women were 0 little bored, eager to return to town before 1t grew too late. The maid was an- nouncing dinner, and the odor of q roast came through the air. For . second the two women, descend- ing the low stairway, caught their breath. Martha was wearing 0 strand of pearls-a strand of pearls like the ones that Judith had worn above her turtle-necked sweater the night before. The sheer audacity of the act made her pause.
 Hello, Judy darling. Your head ' ache better7" Marta's fiuted voice was asking. we had c lovely tea and everyone felt sorry for Phil whose wife had to go back on him. Do you have headaches often,
 NO. Marta" she said clearly. sNot often. Shall we go into the dining room7"
 It was later, much later that night when Marta had been de- 1 posted at her own door, and Phil and Judith had driven home in awkward silence, that Judith men,