“I am Mrs. William Howard Taft of Washington,” I cried. “I must get my trunks on that boat train. They’ll be here in a few minutes. Can’t you hold it for me!”

He looked at me blankly.

“My husband is the Secretary of War of the United States,” I went on desperately.

“I am very sorry, Madam,” he began, then I made my last effort.

“You must have heard of him. He’s travelling now with Miss Alice Roosevelt.”