Mr. Liveright took me to lunch at the Dutch Treat Club. I knew nothing
about it, nor by whom I was invited--and when we got up to the room in
the elevator (we were late), it appeared that I was the only woman,
among what seemed to me about seventy men. Had it been seventy women
instead of men, I should have gone down in the elevator by which I came
up. But I can stand this sort of party every day in the week! They were
all very polite and the whole room rose to its feet as I came in.
I sat next to the president. Mr. Pollen was on his other side. I had
on my left Mr. Cosgrave, the Sunday Editor of THE WORLD. The
party, which sat at small tables, were editors, writers, cartoonists,
etc. I was called upon to make a speech which was unexpected,
paralysing and unfair. I spoke for about fifteen minutes. I don’t know
what I said, the thing was to say something, anything----. They were
wonderfully nice and sympathetic----.
Mr. Pollen spoke after me. He was amiable about America, and all went
off well!
Mr. Liveright told me afterwards that he admired my self-composure.
Thank heavens if I can appear so, and not betray the interior terror
that possesses me at the thought of public speaking!