If You Ask Me
by Eleanor Roosevelt

I know nothing about such a plan. My husband may have talked with Mr. Willkie, as he did with many other people, about the possibility of new party line-ups. The two parties, Republican and Democratic, today are similarly divided, with reactionaries in both parties. We used to discuss the possibility of getting a clear-cut liberal party to oppose a clear-cut reactionary party.

I did not visit Madame Chiang because I did not have time to visit more countries than I did. I was asked to almost every country in Asia, except Communist China, but since I had to be home in time for a session of the Human Rights Commission I could not accept all the invitations.

I haven't read ex-President Hoover's book. I had a feeling that there would be bitterness in it, and I did not want to feel bitterly toward him. I think his feelings are perfectly human and natural. He failed to meet a crisis which my husband was able to meet. It probably was not his fault in any way but the fault of circumstances which he could not control.

I am afraid there is nothing I can do to help you. This is a question between you and your own son, and perhaps the reason for his action lies in a background which only you and he know anything about.

I wish I could tell you that I overcame airsickness, but I cannot say I ever felt even a moment of real airsickness. I can remember feeling a little nauseated on a rough trip, but leaning back and closing my eyes did the trick. I don't remember ever being frightened, even on very bad trips.

In the matter of fright, however, I think it might help to do as you did when you said your prayers as a child in the dark. If you close your eyes and give yourself up to the will of God you will find that fear is nonexistent.

I think Mrs. Sampson spoke with great knowledge and absolute truth.

Not at all. We have lived at home always with things that have been in the family for years. Outside of buying a comfortable chair or two now and then, I cannot remember buying any furniture for many years, so I am accustomed to rooms which are filled with old-fashioned things.

I neither approved nor disapproved. I did not know what my son did until he did it, and he had a right to do it, since the property belonged to him. I learned a long while ago not to make judgments on what other people do.