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oundless puff； and suddenly yellow light glowed all around it。
And as it burned； over this yellow light； they turned their heads and looked at one another。 With a strange； new sort of fright they'd never felt before。 As when the world drops away； and there is nothing left underfoot to stand on。
〃She didn't do it；〃 he whispered； stricken。
〃She didn't；〃 she breathed； appalled。
〃Then…？〃
〃Then…？〃
And each pair of eyes answered； 〃You。〃
* * *
The summer nights are so pleasant in Caulfield。 They smell of heliotrope； of jasmine； and of clover。 The stars are warm and close above us。 The breeze is gentle as a baby's kiss。 The soothing whisper of the leafy trees； the lamplight falling on the lawns； the hush of perfect peace and security。
But not for us。
The house we live in is so pleasant here in Caulfield。 Its blue…green lawn； always freshly watered； the dazzling whiteness of the porchsupports in the sun； the gracious symmetry of the bannister that curves down from above； the gloss of rich old floors； the lushness of pile carpeting； in every room some favorite chair that's an old friend。 People e and say； 〃What more can there be？ This is a home。〃
But not for us。
I love him so。 More than ever before； not less。 So bitterly I love him。 And he loves me。 And yet I know that on some day to e； maybe this year； maybe next； but surely to e； suddenly he'll pack and go away and leave me。 Though he'll love me still； and never stop even after he's gone。
Or if he doesn't； I will。 I'll take up my valise； and walk out through the door； and never return。 I'll leave my heart behind； and leave my child behind； and leave my life behind； but I'll never e back。
It's certain； it's assured。 The only uncertainty is： which one of us will be the first to break。
We've fought this thing。 In every way we know； in every way there is。 No good； no good at all。 There's no way out。 We're caught； we're trapped。 For if he's innocent； then it has to be me。 And if I am； it has to be he。 But I know I'm innocent。 （Yet he may know he is too。） We can't break through； there's no way out。
It's in the very kiss we give each other。 Somehow we trap it right between our lips； each time。 It's everywhere； it's all the time； it's us。
I don't know what the game was。 I'm not sure how it should be played。 No one ever tells you。 I only know we must have played it wrong； somewhere along the way。 I don't even know what the stakes are。 I only know they're not for us。
We've lost。 That's all I know。 We've lost。 And now the game is through。
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