[The White House] June 20, 1946
Dear Bess:
Just had a nice walk. The wind is in the east and it is cool, cloudy and very pleasant. We've only had one or two really hot days. I hope it has cleared up the heat and that you've had some rain out there. I'm counting the days until your arrival.
Mr. Keck, the sculptor, was with me most of yesterday making a bust for the Senate. He has done an excellent job, so the spectators say. He is making it in clay and then he uses a hammer and chisel on a block of marble. Told me had made a heroic piece for the Huey Long memorial in Louisiana. Mr. Neild got him that job. He is now making a statue of Al Smith called The Sidewalks of New York. He said Smith had approved the model before he died. Said all three of his boys are grown up now and that two of them had been in the service. They were all in knee britches when I was in New York on the Andrew Jackson statue.
We finally got a bid on the elevator and they'll go to work on it soon. Will take until October but we won't be without service but about 3 weeks. You and Margie will get some stair climbing exercise for 3 weeks anyway.
Say hello to everybody.
Lots of love, Harry