Two obviously "well off" widows were getting acquainted as they lounged in adjacent

[Atticus]

beach chairs sipping mimosas.

"My dear husband died of a sudden massive heart attack" volunteered the first woman, Ruth. "How did your husband pass?"

"My husband died after eating poison mushrooms" the second lady, Mabel, answered

"Oh, my goodness! How terrible! And, what an unusual cause of death!" Ruth exclaimed.

"It's not that unusual, actually. Three of my four prior husbands died after eating poison mushrooms" Mabel explained.

"Three---of four---prior-----Good Heavens! What was the cause of death of the fourth prior husband?" asked the shocked and astounded Ruth.

"That one" Mabel said with a crooked little smile "died of 'blunt force trauma' to the head." Then, with a shrug, she added "Wouldn't eat his mushrooms!"

[Mme. Defarge]

1. Life insurance policies

were no doubt involved.