Chapter 10: Judges Must Participate

Victor rang the silver bell to begin an evening of charades.

Edith immediately held out her empty glass.

He looked at the glass, then at his bell.

"I meant the game," he told her.

"I meant lemonade," she answered.

He put the bell down and fetched the lemonade.

Caroline arranged the slips of paper on a tray.

She had written each word in elaborate blue handwriting.

"The girls will perform first," she announced.

Audrey took a slip and unfolded it.

I stood beside her, ready to be useless but willing.

Caroline sat on the sofa with her hands neatly folded.

Victor sat beside her after delivering Edith's drink.

"Aren't you playing?" I asked them.

"We're judging," Caroline answered.

"You have to guess," Audrey said.

"Naturally," Victor replied.

"And take a turn," she added.

Caroline looked at the tray of slips.

"We know what they say."

Edith set her glass down.

"Then I'll write some," she said.

She took a pen from her handbag and asked for paper.

Victor brought her the cards he'd prepared for introductions.

She turned them over and wrote on the blank backs.

Audrey collected Caroline's slips and put them aside.

Edith folded her own and placed them on the tray.

"Now nobody has an advantage," she declared.

She remembered writing them only after Victor looked at her.

"Except me," she added.

I laughed, and she gave me a pleased smile.

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