Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961
Identifier
WWP14878
Date
1915 August 14
Source
Edith Bolling Wilson Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia
Language
English
Text
Geneva – N. Y.
1 a. m.
My Precious One -
I expect you have been in bed for hours–as it is after midnight, and I have been down on the porch talking to Mrs Rose for nearly two hours — We had the usual game of “Auction” after dinner -and at ten 30-Mr. Rose got sleepy and retired – So we sat on the porch — and the Dr. (Mrs. R's brother) joined us for a while about midnight.I am not a bit sleepy–and can't put the light out until I have talked to you, at least long enough to say goodnight.
The big Envelope came at 2 ock-and I am so thrilled at the hint it contains, and want so to know more about it, though, of course, realizing fully, Dearest, that you can not write all you would tell me if we were together — But could you tell me what he means by the “publication” and the fact that it may even lead to War–but still the wisdom of doing it? If you think it better not to put this on paper I will fully understand – but dont mention names[.] I will understand enough to fill them in-I came up stairs about four this afternoon and closed my door and read over again your dear, dear letter - This has been one of the days when I have had hard work making myself believe all the things that have happened — I wonder if you ever have that feeling?
– as though it was something that had happened to some one else - that it could not be your self- That the rest of the world goes on the same as it did last year and the year before-and the year before that – and why should I be so changed? Why should the whole order of my existence be revolutionized?Dont think from this that I am shutting doors, or having one of my dreaded “fits”– I am not, only I can't help these occasional waves of amazement that come over me that I can be– and am happily in love– and eager to be loved- and that out of the whole world I have found the one person who comprises the world!Your letter made you real again - made me feel that your dear arms were outstretched for me to nestle in and that your heart was beating close against my own while I whispered into your lips all the unreality of things as they seemed before I came to you.
You know I always get these vagaries when it was sleepy time – and then you would sooth, and pet me-until they were all gone and I could go to bed happy- I am going now to put out the light, curl up in your arms and get you to sing to me of your “Four brothers over the Sea”— I will go to sleep and dream you are here-and I have only to wake up and find you laughing at some ridiculous conversation we had when I was asleep-
G o o d n i g h t, P r e c i o u s
Sunday-830 a.m.
Good morning my dear Lord– are you going to church for the first time in many weeks? If so, I hope it is cooler and you will not be bored- I suppose I will go just because I want to hear our prayer-I have read over this letter, begun last night, and started to destroy it, but know you will understand that I was just a little blue – and needed you— but this morning I have readjusted and am ready for the day— I will not have your dear message today - so must be content to know the waiting will be rewarded by two letters tomorrow- and that you are near me, perhaps nearer than on other days when your attention is diverted by so many things.
It is a sort of gray day here - after a heavy rain during the night- and the air is dead and unrefreshing– I think we have about decided to leave here on the28 20th which is Friday- and, unless we get very bad roads, we should reach Ocean City on Sunday— I have decided to tell Mother and my sister our wonderful secret- as soon as I have the opportunity after we get there- After which I am going to write Randolph - but with these exceptions I will not tell anyone else – I feel sure you will approve of this, don't you?
As to old Mr. Wilson, I wrote him as nice a letter as I could a week ago today-and have had nothing from him since— The only thing that could have hurt him is my saying I had nothing to tell him, and no occasion to see him before returning to Washington, so far as I know- But he is so sensative this probably has hurt him-and I am sorry if it is so-but I cannot have my confidence forced- They are calling me for breakfast so I must stop - I will write you a better letter tomorrow - My love must compensate for the lack of interest in this letter, for that is unchanged and goes on in rain or shine, flowing out to my Precious one -
Edith
1 a. m.
My Precious One -
I expect you have been in bed for hours–as it is after midnight, and I have been down on the porch talking to Mrs Rose for nearly two hours — We had the usual game of “Auction” after dinner -and at ten 30-Mr. Rose got sleepy and retired – So we sat on the porch — and the Dr. (Mrs. R's brother) joined us for a while about midnight.I am not a bit sleepy–and can't put the light out until I have talked to you, at least long enough to say goodnight.
The big Envelope came at 2 ock-and I am so thrilled at the hint it contains, and want so to know more about it, though, of course, realizing fully, Dearest, that you can not write all you would tell me if we were together — But could you tell me what he means by the “publication” and the fact that it may even lead to War–but still the wisdom of doing it? If you think it better not to put this on paper I will fully understand – but dont mention names[.] I will understand enough to fill them in-I came up stairs about four this afternoon and closed my door and read over again your dear, dear letter - This has been one of the days when I have had hard work making myself believe all the things that have happened — I wonder if you ever have that feeling?
– as though it was something that had happened to some one else - that it could not be your self- That the rest of the world goes on the same as it did last year and the year before-and the year before that – and why should I be so changed? Why should the whole order of my existence be revolutionized?Dont think from this that I am shutting doors, or having one of my dreaded “fits”– I am not, only I can't help these occasional waves of amazement that come over me that I can be– and am happily in love– and eager to be loved- and that out of the whole world I have found the one person who comprises the world!Your letter made you real again - made me feel that your dear arms were outstretched for me to nestle in and that your heart was beating close against my own while I whispered into your lips all the unreality of things as they seemed before I came to you.
You know I always get these vagaries when it was sleepy time – and then you would sooth, and pet me-until they were all gone and I could go to bed happy- I am going now to put out the light, curl up in your arms and get you to sing to me of your “Four brothers over the Sea”— I will go to sleep and dream you are here-and I have only to wake up and find you laughing at some ridiculous conversation we had when I was asleep-
G o o d n i g h t, P r e c i o u s
Sunday-830 a.m.
Good morning my dear Lord– are you going to church for the first time in many weeks? If so, I hope it is cooler and you will not be bored- I suppose I will go just because I want to hear our prayer-I have read over this letter, begun last night, and started to destroy it, but know you will understand that I was just a little blue – and needed you— but this morning I have readjusted and am ready for the day— I will not have your dear message today - so must be content to know the waiting will be rewarded by two letters tomorrow- and that you are near me, perhaps nearer than on other days when your attention is diverted by so many things.
It is a sort of gray day here - after a heavy rain during the night- and the air is dead and unrefreshing– I think we have about decided to leave here on the
As to old Mr. Wilson, I wrote him as nice a letter as I could a week ago today-and have had nothing from him since— The only thing that could have hurt him is my saying I had nothing to tell him, and no occasion to see him before returning to Washington, so far as I know- But he is so sensative this probably has hurt him-and I am sorry if it is so-but I cannot have my confidence forced- They are calling me for breakfast so I must stop - I will write you a better letter tomorrow - My love must compensate for the lack of interest in this letter, for that is unchanged and goes on in rain or shine, flowing out to my Precious one -
Edith
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961, “Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1915 August 14, WWP14878, Edith Bolling Wilson Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.