Thank you for your prompt reply.
It _was_ difficult for me to believe that you would call and then
for any reason be afraid to talk with me. But the idea of a call
would be, in my estimation, a very excellent one. In fact, I cannot
conceive of a brother’s or sister’s love taking the course yours and
Mrs. Votaw’s has taken. I am frank to say that no matter what anyone
might say about the lack of conventionality on my part or on that of
Mr. Harding, they would never, never condone complete ignoring of
responsibility to his own child. Nor do I mean that such shall be the
case.
I was quite sincere when I wrote to you last fall that I should
exhaust every effort to make you people--and that means all of the
brothers and sisters of Mr. Harding--see your responsibility to
Elizabeth Ann, and I mean to do so.
But I am and have been waiting for you to approach me, and I shall
expect you to do so. I have been under a terrific financial strain and
am about through trying to carry on alone. I need help and it should
be provided. The very last time I talked with Mr. Harding in the White
House he gave me every assurance that I should have ample financial
assistance throughout Elizabeth Ann’s life, and, with his death, I am
looking to his family to carry out his promises. And I do not mean to
have her so ignored. It is highly inconceivable that you should adopt
such attitude.
I shall expect to see one of you or both very soon, and I can assure
you it would be gratifying to have the opportunity to tell you both
things it would interest you to hear. If I do not hear from you to
this effect, I shall proceed to go about in other ways to justify
Elizabeth Ann’s claim to being cared for by her father’s people.
You know as well as I that I am asking nothing but a square deal for
Elizabeth Ann and I shall certainly tolerate no conduct on your part
which smacks of being ignored by you. If I cannot settle amicably a
matter which should long ago have been settled without making it the
basis for a life-long enmity and possible unpleasantness for all of
us, then I shall be obliged in fairness to Mr. Harding’s child to
fight for what is her due. And you cannot look me square in the eyes
and deny that I am asking aught but justice.
I want to add that you are at perfect liberty to show this letter to
whomever you like, knowing that I have nothing to conceal from any
member of the Harding family. And I am ready to face the entire group
at any time you say. I can offer to do no more.
Very sincerely,
NAN BRITTON NEILSEN”
I must say that this letter conveyed a fighting spirit which my broken
heart and body belied, but it was the spirit which has guided me in the
face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles to seek the justice which is
due Elizabeth Ann, and to justify my own claim to her as her mother.
I wrote Tim Slade on January 30th, telling him of the contents of Mr.
Votaw’s letter. Then I waited a few days for possible developments.
_150_
One evening I went home tired, soul and body. Elizabeth Ann met me
as usual at the door. Simultaneously with my ringing the doorbell I
could hear her voice, high-pitched in pleasurable excitement, “It’s
Nan, muz!” she exclaimed to mother, and came rushing to open the door
to greet me. Realizing keenly my dire financial status, daring not to
divulge to my mother how frantic I was, knowing she would immediately
have insisted upon taking some kind of position which would make it
necessary for me to again ask my sister Elizabeth to come East and get
the baby, I felt particularly unable to match my daughter’s playful
mood. She wanted to recite a piece for me! Would I please sit down and
listen?
Of course I would! I forced the gaiety I could not feel. It was all a
familiar procedure, this reciting business, and I sank acquiescently
into the nearest chair. Elizabeth Ann disappeared into the bedroom,
and returned with a grown-up scarf around her shoulders to announce,
as always, “Ladies, the princess will speak for you!” This, too, was
familiar, for she had so self-styled herself very early, and somehow
it seemed to me a most appropriate appellative considering the birth
distinction that was hers.
“The princess will speak--which one shall I speak, muz?” she turned to
inquire of my mother who was busy preparing dinner at the kitchenette,
which occupied one side of the living-room. Mother whispered into her
ear and Elizabeth Ann’s face lighted with the joy she could not conceal
in being encouraged to surprise me with her newest dramatic acquisition.
The Harding smile was directed at me, the “audience”; the Harding eyes
twinkled mischievously; the Harding bow was eloquently appealing; and
the voice of the Harding child fell sweetly upon the ears of her mother:
“A _bear_--how_ev_er hard he _tries_,
Grows _tub_by without exercise.
_My_ teddy bear is _short_ and _fat_--
Which is not to be _won_dered at!
He gets what exercise he _can_
From falling off the ottoman,
But gen-er-al-ly seems to lack
The energy to scramble _back_....”
The “piece” (by A. A. Milne) went on and on, and it was all the
“audience” could do to keep from rising to its feet and embracing the
speaker in her adorableness. But the “audience” was too well-trained.
The princess, like the princess’s father before her, demanded strictest
attention from an audience, and this audience knew that the princess’s
kisses were given only upon completion of oratorical delivery.
Never did a queen more completely rule the hearts of her subjects
than did this diminutive princess her “audience,” whose heart she had
always possessed! Never did the father of this princess move his myriad
listeners to greater tranquillity of heart! The princess restored her
mother’s hopefulness and strength of purpose.
That night I prayed anew that her father’s people would help me to keep
my darling. Would my prayer be answered?
_151_
Under date of February 5th, 1926, my rent falling due on the coming
10th, I wired Daisy Harding as follows:
“MRS. RALPH LEWIS,
Vernon Heights Boulevard,
Marion, Ohio.
SIMPLY MUST HAVE TWO HUNDRED BY SATURDAY SIXTH TO MEET OVERDUE BILLS.
HAVE WRITTEN OTHER FOLKS TO NO AVAIL. IMPOSSIBLE CARRY ON PRESENT
REGIME UNLESS MORE SUBSTANTIALLY ASSISTED. MUST HAVE HELP IMMEDIATELY.
LETTER FOLLOWS.