MRS. WOODROW WILSON 335
father to the thought, I had hoped against hope that the distress would prove temporary. Now I began to doubt this. Only rest, complete rest, and an escape from the maddening crowds, could restore my husband. But I was trapped. Arriving in Oakland on the morning of September iyth we were confronted by a two-day schedule before which my heart sank.
It is no imagining on my part when I say that the crowds grew larger and more enthusiastic. That is the statement of chroniclers of the tour whose judgment is certainly to be preferred to mine. One of the newspaper men said the receptions on the Pacific coast reminded him of our trip to Italy. But things ran in a vicious circle. The greater the crowds, the higher the enthusiasm, the worse the wear and tear on my husband. If only some of these ardent, well-meaning people who whittled away at our privacy until almost none was left could have had a glimpse behind the curtain of what admirers were beginning to call "President Wilson's triumphal tour".
Two days in Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, and Palo Alto; five major addresses; luncheons, dinners, receptions, miles upon miles of driving in flower-laden cars; interviews, conferences, and twenty different committees of escort and entertainment. I have never seen such flowers. To mention one basket that came to our hotel suite: it was twelve feet tall and filled with yellow chrysanthemums. From it hung clusters of grapes which I was told weighed a hundred pounds. As usual, we sent them all to hospitals.
The weather was warm and enervating. These two days would have taxed the vitality of one who was rested and refreshed. My husband took them on top of twelve days and nights of travel, and twenty-odd speeches; and was worn out when he started. Dr. Grayson and I took counsel with each other. He said the President must have some rest each day. So on to San Diego and Los Angeles, with the Doctor and me trying to act as buffers. The crowds at every station, the