HAPPY FAMILY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1938, Page 10

HAPPY FAMILY

AMERICAN AMBASSADOR. ARRIVAL IN LONDON. Mr Joseph Kennedy, the United States Ambassador, who landed in England recently to take up his appointment in London, returned to Plymouth to welcome his wife and five of their nine childrn who arrived in the United States liner Washington. The Ambassador was taken out in the Admiral’s Barge—the 40knot launch of the Commander-in-Chief at Plymouth, Admiral the Hon. Sir R. A. R. Plunkett Ernie-Erie-Drax. While Mr Kennedy was greeting his wife, Teddy, their six-year-old son, was lost. “Where’s Teddy,” shouted the Ambassador. After a few minutes’ search Edward, who is youngest of the party, was found leaning over the ship's side. While being carried away by his father he exclaimed, “I want to see the dredger, daddy.” The Ambassador and his family were taken ashore in the naval launch, and on landing at the docks were accorded a civic welcome by the Deputy-Lord Mayor of Plymouth. The liner had experienced four days of fierce gales, and an officer said that it was one of the worst trips the Washington ever had. Mrs Kennedy said that she and her children had survived the storm very well. “There seemed to be demons in every wave, but we were good sailors, and were not even seasick,” she said. She denied a report that her 18-year-old daughter Kathleen had become engaged to Mr J. G. Brace, junr., a Yale graduate. “We have known him for about a year and are good friends, but that is all,” said Mrs Kennedy. THE YOUNGER KENNEDYS.

On arrival ih London the four younger Kennedys went for a walk through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens with Miss Hennessy, their nurse. They crossed over from the Ambassadors Gate in Prince’s Gate and strolled along Rotten Row. “I ride a bit,” said Bobby, aged 12, “I must be getting out here some time!” In his camel-hair coat and his cap, which is almost in the Coogan style, he looks a typical American youngster. Teddy, aged six, wore the same sort of coat, but a much smaller cap. He chattered away throughout the walk, wanted to with all the dogs, and got his feet wet in the Serpentine trying to touch one of the swans. Patricia, aged 13, and Jeanne, aged 12, spotted the spring flowers, and Teddy thought he would like to pick some, only to be told by Miss Hennessy, “That isn’t allowed, Teddy.” Bobby is very interested in the subject of English schools and he’s trying to find out what they’re like before he goes to one. Half a dozen Guardsmen marched past in line. “Now, why do they want to have those bayonets fixed going through the park?” demanded Bobby. Question were fired from all sides as we progressed. “Would you know that we were American?” “How would you tell the difference between American and English children?” “How much does it cost to go out in one of those boats?” / “Is a shilling the same as 25 cents?” Afterwards the family had a group photograph taken on the lawn behind the house. Rosemary and Eunice, the other two daughters, are coming over in April. When Joseph P., Junior, and Jack, who are both at Harvard, arrive in June, nobody will be able to say that Mr Kennedy isn’t a family man. the confidential part—l happen to be married.” She looked at him in surprise. “Even my people don’t know.” “That is very curious, surely.” “Possibly. I married a Brazilian girl in Rio de Janeiro. We ... we separated.” “Why are you telling me this?” “I wanted you to know.” “I . . I’m sorry things went wrong. But in marriage they so often seem to.” “And perhaps it will help you to understand why I wanted a friend — a woman out of the ordinary run—an educated woman. Now, what about "it?” “What about what?" “I’m suggesting that occasionally you and I make up a little party a deux — like this. We could run down to the coast, for example.” “I . . I don’t know,” she said doubtfully. “But I'm not as hopeless as all that, surely?” “It isn’t that.” “If you've anything on,” he urged, “don’t hesitate to say so.” “Anyway, now I'm for home. We’ve a big day in front of us tomorrow.” He called for his bill and a few- minutes later dropped her at the door of her flat. “Good-night,” she said. “And thank you." Alone in her flat, Mary Rossiter thought the thing out, calmly and carefully as was her habit. It was exceedingly difficult to rebuff Ronald Gilroy, it seemed almost an ungracious thing to do. The confidence he had reposed in her was, in the circumstances, a considerable compliment. And he did seem lonely and at a loose end. (To be Continued).