[The White House] July 21, 1947
Dear Bess:
Your letter was waiting for me when I came to the office this morning. Glad you had a pleasant trip and sorry you could not have stayed longer. Gave Mr. Redmond the instructions about flowers for Mrs. Davis. Said he'd send her some Grand Duchess Charlottes. He was sure she'd like them.
We had a very pleasant boat ride Saturday afternoon and Sunday. It was a beautiful clear day all day Sunday so we got plenty of sunshine. I am getting as brown as an Indian.
Talked to Dr. Graham, Vivian and Mary after I talked to you. Mary said she'd just talked to you. I have feared all along that the end is approaching, but I feel we've done everything possible to postpone it. I had hoped she would get up after that first bed sore healed, but it doesn't look so good now. All seemed to think I'd better finish up this terrible Congress before coming home. So unless there is an immediate emergency, I do that.
We took Stanley Woodward along as a guest on the yacht and he seemed to enjoy it immensely. Clifford, Ross, Steelman, Murphy, Geo. Allen were along. The first four needed the rest as badly as I did. It seemed to do them all good and I know it did me. We finished up some things for today and then enjoyed ourselves. The ship is more comfortable now. They put ventilators in my cabin and shut the air conditioner off in it and they have learned to make coffee! Fields went down and showed them how.
Rose's neice [sic] is on the road to recovery as is Bill Hassett. Roy Harper was just in to see me. He has to go before the judiciary committee today. I suppose they'll make it tough on him but he can take.
Lots of love Harry