One across, two down

About “One across, two down”

Stanley Manning is preoccupied with crossword puzzles and the inheritance his wife Vera will receive upon her mother's death, while enduring a strained relationship with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Kinaway, who lives with them and seeks to destroy their marriage. After setting aside his puzzles one afternoon, Stanley makes a decision that alters the course of their lives, leading to a transformation in his mental state and actions.