Breather

Bess Truman had grown used to the lurking Secret Service men, the brass and braid and cutaways and gowns, the flashbulbs, limousines, interviews and stares. Benefits, teas, parties, receptions, christenings, and the daily quick changes from short skirts to long were now routine. She was booked solid through April, and looking forward to May.

The anniversary week, fortunately, provided a breather. At the behest of Charter Member Truman, ten ladies of the 25-year-old Tuesday Bridge Club of Independence, Mo. turned up at the White House. They had paid their own way, come by plane and car, dodged reporters constantly, and were in a high state of twitters. After a sedate lunch, they chose their rooms (two shared the Lincoln bed), brought Mrs. Truman up to date on home matters, dressed for an evening concert at Constitution Hall to hear Pianist Eugene List (see Music).

Next day there was a sightseeing tour, a picture-taking session, and a brush with the press. When a newsman remarked that all the ladies were wearing nylons, one club member explained: "The merchants of Independence made them available so we wouldn't be outshone by the ladies of Washington." That night Harry Truman sent everybody off to the Shrine Circus. Mrs. Truman was very gay until a clown 'tried to sit on her lap. "That will be enough," said the First Lady firmly. Thereafter, and throughout the evening, the ladies noticed that Bess looked rather grim.

At week's end, after tramping through the Capitol, taking a little trip on the presidential yacht Williamsburg, and turning down an invitation to a reception by the Missouri Society, the ladies and their hostess were ready to call it a mutually satisfying experience.* The ladies had reminded Bess Truman of Independence. For months to come, they would remind Independence of Bess Truman. They had played bridge just once.

* So were their husbands. In Independence, they got together for a stag poker game,

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