Chapter 42

Summary

• The protagonist, Mary, returns home to Daytona Beach, Florida, after a long campaign season for President Roosevelt's reelection. She is greeted by Mrs. Brown, who looks after her house and grandson, Albert.
• They discuss plans for dinner with Albert and his father at a local restaurant, Hattie's, rather than a home-cooked meal.
• Mary notes various tasks she needs to attend to, including issues at the college she is involved with, and a property development project for beachfront property known as Bethune Beach.
• Albert arrives home and is very pleased to see Mary. They head off to Hattie's, during which walk Mary experiences breathlessness and fatigue, much to her surprise.
• At Hattie's, they meet Albert Sr. Mary avoids discussing politics, particularly her shift in allegiance to the Democratic Party, which Albert Sr. strongly disapproves of.
• After dinner, Mary receives a long-distance call from a man named Steve Woodburn who has taken over from Louis Howe as the press secretary. Mary doesn't think highly of him and takes offense at him using her first name rather than addressing her respectfully.
• Woodburn wants to discuss changes to Mary's upcoming conference, particularly the participation of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. He insists the First Lady's appearances should be limited to events that will enhance her image, implying that her appearance at Mary's conference would not be beneficial.
• Mary is insulted and hangs up on Woodburn, vowing to speak to the First Lady directly.