From under my hat (1952)

From under my Hat First Lady: "All the ocean front you see— fifty miles of it— Mr. Hearst owns. All that land and those mountains as far as the eye can seethree hundred and seventy-five thousand acres— W.R. owns all that except that one tiny peak. That one you can hardly see " "You're wrong, Hedda," came a thin, high voice from behind us. "I own that peak too." I was there the day Frank Knox arrived. He was owner of two small New England newspapers and was doing okay financially. While the Coolidges were in the White House he walked in and out as though it were his own home. This was the third time W.R. had sent for him. He wanted Frank to build up the Hearst empire in New England, and Frank feared he would be offered so much money he couldn't refuse. Knox blew in during a gale featuring thunder, lightning, and rain. Most of the guests were asleep or reading in their rooms. I'd been walking in the storm and looked like Tugboat Annie in heavy gear, old dress, raincoat, and sturdy boots. I greeted Mr. Knox in the main hall, introduced him to the housekeeper, and told him lunch was at one-thirty. W.R. came in for lunch, then for dinner. He put Knox beside him at the table and was a perfect host, but disappeared immediately after each meal. After four days of this, Knox was fit to be tied. He couldn't know that he was getting the silent treatment, calculated to break down his resistance. He had to talk to someone during the days of waiting, and poured out his heart to me. "Do you want to accept this proposition?" I asked. "No, I don't." "Then why not leave? I can order a car and get you off the hill." "I've waited so long, it would be rude to go now." I laughed. "So you're going to accept his offer whatever it is," I said. "I guess so," he answered ruefully. I never saw Frank Knox again until he stood on a platform of a Milwaukee auditorium to make the principal address at an American Legion Convention. He had accepted W.R.'s proposition. In fact, 162