The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-20
CHAPTER x

CHATTER x
 THB situation was saved by Tom \ Beokley's opportune arrival, Jenniter hated to leave her father marooned, but her business was with her own generation and she went about 1t.
 After . vague while, the maid Norah appeared and indicated in pantominae against the radio that dinner was ready. Hilyard gath cred himself for one more effort, He went to Margaret and put his arms about her to say:
 Margaret, honey"
 She pushed his arms away with violence: "You take sides against your own wife, You're ruining our child"
 "Oh, Margaret, for goodness sake, snap out of 1t. She's what you were once. Don't be hypocrite."
 She fancied herself as martyr, and she began to weep = not beau- tifully or pitifully but as a thwarted bully weeps.
 MY daughter calls me a dodo; my husband calls me hypocrite,"
 From the radio came the voice of a soprano singing in a young girls voice some song Of beautiful regret. It might have been Mar garets own young soul crying from the tomb. But she consented to be persuaded to the dining room. She could always eat
 "A FTER dinner he made last try: "A he offered Margaret a game of cards, a trip to a movie, a visit to the theater, She shook her head at everything. At last he was reminded of an imaginary business confer ence at the club, She laughed;
 Whats her nameP"
 "Ah, Margaret, Megl We were so happy once, don't want any body but you the old sweet you used to love"
 She turned her head from him, He calls me a hypocrite and says he loves mel"
 He left the house without a word. The sight of lighted win dows made him wonder where there was happiness and where there was empty Illustration like his own. Some of the couples must be like watchers beside conn.
 As he was passing bright restaurant, he fell back to make way for a man and woman who turned out to be Beckley and his wife. Len hailed him
 "Waltl Come on in and dine with us?"
 "Ive had my dinner thanks" said Hilyard. "Ive got some busi- ness at the club"
 "A liqeur then. while we have our cocktails"
 Len seized one of his arms. Sue took the other. The dining room was in carnival mood, On the dance floor among the young manlacs, many in uniforms, were a few husbands and wives Some of them were rather bulky and awkward, but they were dancing together. They were dancing! and together
 At Beckley'S table a walter pushed up a chair for Walt next to -- Mrs Drummond, of all people, He was left alone with her when all the others swung out Into the current for an appetizer of dance, He had to say something. He said
 I'm doing you a favor by not asking you to dance I'm very rusty"
 You'll have to prove It." she laughed and stood up. They joined the mob. He felt fool. but pleas ant fool. He found himself laughing as he had not laughed for long, long while. And the woman grew strangely more beautiful every mos ment.
 Suddenly JennIfer was there with Sgt. Tom Beckley. She looked start. led, frightened at the sight Of her father SO plainly enjoying commun- ion with q new woman. Walt stop. ped dancing with q sense Of guilt, Len Beckley explained for him that Walt was on his way to the club and | had been dragged In against his will,
 Jennifer's terror gave Walt the | lift he needed. He said he must be on his way to hia business engagement" He bade Mrs, Drum mond good night with formality, He | was almost afraid to meet Jennifer's eyes. He thought he saw In them no reproach, but that worse look Of pity.
 VNHE club was deserted save for a \ few foriorn old wIdowers some of whom had wives still living in what had been built for homes, The club was an orphanage for un- buried and unwanted old men, Even home was better than this.
 Margaret had fallen asleep in her