A Woman of Independent Means by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey Read Free Book Online Page A

short our stay here and return home this weekend.
    Love from us both,
Bess

    May 15, 1917
New York City
    Fifth Avenue Florists
New York City
    Â 
    Please deliver one dozen long-stemmed roses to Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Davis, 33 Stonybrook, Westport, Connecticut, with the following message: “Thank you for giving us our first taste of eastern hospitality. It was an unforgettable weekend. I hope you will come to Texas soon so we can reciprocate. Bess and Rob.”
    A check is enclosed.
    Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert R. Steed

    May 15, 1917
New York City
    Director of Admissions
Choate School
Wallingford, Connecticut
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    Dear Sir:
    My husband and I were driven through your impressive grounds this past weekend by our close friends Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Davis. Though we live at some distance—in Dallas, Texas—I am most anxious for my two sons, Robert and Andrew, to have the advantages of an eastern education.
    I hope it is not too late to enroll them now for three years of preparatory school before college. Robert will be seven next month and Andrew will be six in November. Kindly reserve places for them in the appropriate classes.
    Enclosed please find a check for $1,000 as a contribution to your current building campaign.
    Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert
Randolph Steed

    May 15, 1917
New York City
    Dear Totsie and Dwight,
    It was kind of you to entertain us for the weekend—and quite an education to be exposed to a way of life that simply does not exist in Texas. I feel sure both Rob and I will profit from the experience.
    Your home is lovely and I never tired of looking out our bedroom window into your exquisite English garden. There were flowers blooming I had never seen before but would like to try planting at home—if such aristocratic species can survive in Texas soil. I for one suspect they will do very well.
    We are leaving for home tomorrow, several days earlier than we originally intended—a hotel and friends cannot replace home and family for very long.
    Good luck to Dwight in his efforts as chairman of the Choate Building Campaign.
    It was good to see you again. I’m glad I didn’t seem like a stranger to you.
    Affectionately,
Bess

    July 5, 1917
Dallas
    Dear Papa and Mavis,
    The Liberty Loan Campaign was officially launched in Dallas yesterday with a huge picnic at White Rock Lake. Rob made a rousing speech.
    I’ve never had political ambitions for him before, but yesterday, listening to the crowd cheer, I became convinced he could be elected to any office in the country. However, he is not interested in winning votes now—all his energies are directed toward winning the war. He will be selling war bonds over a five-state area, which means he will be traveling most of the time. I miss him so much more when I’m at home and he’s away than when I was in Europe and he was here. I wish there were more I could do for the war effort. I’ve joined the Red Cross but it is difficult to bring much passion to bandage-rolling.
    Robin and Drew are fascinated by all the war talk. They have dug a trench around the servants quarters and spend most of the day in it.
    You would have rejoiced to see Eleanor playing with the other children at the picnic yesterday. At least that war is almost won!
    Much love,
Bess

    August 16, 1917
Dallas
    Dear Heart,
    I have now joined the ranks of those who also serve by only standing and waiting—but thank God your battlefield is a podium and your weapons war bonds. Even so, your absence makes my heart ache.
    Our trip to New York last spring was like a honeymoon for me—but a honeymoon greatly enriched by all the experiences shared in the years preceding it. I am always amazed to hear people say the first weeks or months of marriage are the best and then, “the honeymoon is over.” Of course I thought I loved you with all my heart when we were married, but it took marriage to teach me the outer limits of my anatomy, both physical and spiritual, and