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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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Part:         Session:         Page of 731

But I'm sure she never drank, though the worst thing they said about her was that she was drunk in the night clubs. I never heard of a story of anything absurd that she'd said. That was what was said about her and that was what hurt Al terribly.

At this luncheon I was introduced after Irene. I, of course, had held public office under Smith. I knew him very well. They went into my whole background and assured the people that although I came from New England, I was a great admirer of Robert E. Lee. I had established that the night before at dinner. There was the fact that I was born in Boston and when I rose to speak I might have a slight New England accent. They wanted to assure the people that I was a great admirer of Robert E. Lee. The night before they had talked about Robert E. Lee, and I hadn't said I hated him. I said I has always admired him as a great Christian gentleman, which he was. You just throw that right in gratuitously - “that great Christian gentleman, Robert E. Lee.” I had thrown that in the night before.

In introducing me they laid the background so that you'd know that I was related to the right people. The Perkinses were strongly emphasized. It led me into a series of situations that I have never yet recovered from. Lizzie





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