The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

78
DAILY LIFE AT THE WHITE HOUSE
time her guests were the little children between six and four-
teen years of age. This is one time when Mrs. Roosevelt
shook hands with every one of the White House visitors.
Not only that, but often she would take a little tot up and
speak to it for a moment. This time the children were intro-
duced to Mrs. Roosevelt, and the President stood at her right.
Of course he could not stay away from a gathering where
there were to be so many children. He is in his element when
the "little ones" are around.
There were about six hundred children at this reception,
which was given on the day after Christmas, and lasted from
2 o'clock until 4:30. There was a musical programme, and
refreshments in the shape of sweets and ice-cream at the
close. Both the President and Mrs. Roosevelt pronounced
this the most enjoyable and happy reception they had ever
given.
NO SOCIAL JEALOUSIES
There were no jealousies at this reception. There were
no newspaper stories about the army officers being angry
because the navy officers went ahead of them, or vice versa.
There was no trouble because the Supreme Court judges and
their wives felt that they should have taken precedence.
The President nearly always has some such unpleasant inci-
dent arise at his receptions. He cannot arrange all the
details. That is left in other hands, but when some one is
slighted and makes a noise about it, it of course is embar-
rassing to the President.
Mrs. Roosevelt knew that she would have no trouble of
this kind at the children's reception. She could feel perfectly
at ease with them. It is when people grow to mature years
and become selfish that they make trouble. Of course, there