“And if that isn’t a personal matter,” said he, “I should like to know what is.”

To his intense delight, his “absolute denial” to the contrary notwithstanding, I fitted him out, kissed my baby goodbye and sent a young man son off to school in his stead, feeling vaguely thankful that I should have until Christmas to get used to the thought of him before having to see him again.

Shortly afterward I returned to the White House and to the routine of a social season. The Cabinet officers having all gone to their respective homes we gave the Cabinet Dinner with all its accustomed formalities, then came musicals, luncheons, small dinners, teas and parties of various sorts until near the end of the year when I introduced my daughter to society.