Looking back, I can see that "ma" Burke passed her social crisis when, on January 5, Mrs. Gaether asked her to assist at her reception. For Mrs. Gaether was the first social power who took "ma" up simply and solely because she liked her.
We have spent a great deal of money, but not half what the Tevises have spent. But our money counted because it was incidental. Mere money won't carry any one very far in Washington—I don't believe it will anywhere, except, perhaps, in New York.
I ought to have kept some sort of record of what we've done from day to day—I mean, more detailed than my books. However, I'll just put in our last full day before Lent, as far as I can recall it. No, I'll only write out what Mrs. Burke alone did that day:
7:30 to 10. She and I, in her room, went over the arrangements for the ball we were giving in the evening.
10 to 12:30. She went to see half a dozen people about various social matters, besides doing a great deal of shopping.
12:30 to 1:45. More worrying consultation with me, then dressing for luncheon.
1:45 to 3:45. A long and tiresome luncheon at one of the embassies.
3:45 to 6:30. More than twenty calls and teas—a succession of exhausting rushes and struggles.
6:30 to 7:15. In the drawing-room here, with a lot of people coming and going.
7:15 to 8. Dressing for dinner—a frightful rush.