Evening star., 1936-12-17

Mrs. Simpson and I each had an
old-fashioned, prepared by her in
typical Southern style-bitters on q
lump of sugar, a couple Of large pieces
of ice and jigger of bourbon whisky.
AS we slipped our drinks the King
talked vividly of small. inconsequen-
tial matters. I remember that the
subject of grouse shooting came into
the brief Conversations sport for
which he said he was very keen.
King Shakes Cares in Small Talk.
1t seems strange to me now that
man could chat so carelessly about
abstract things when his mind was
filled with problems that were destined
not only to change the course of his
whole life, but to rock the entire
world.
That very afternoon, 1t developed
lIlc 1NlilS Ildo CT lChStll
with Premier Baldwin on the posi-
bility Of a morganatic marriage. In
some quarters even the mention OF a
morganatic marriage has been re-
garded as a slur on Mrs. Simpson.
That is not true.
nuarlonkinn
sible chance to marry the woman he
loved and still continue to perform
his obligations to his subjects. But
he was as conversant with British
constitutional law as any one in his
kingdom, and it should have been
apparent to all that his conversations
with the premier were mainly for
the purpose of establishing definitely
and publicly that morganatic mar
riage was impossible.
He had learned that afternoon. also,
that the Bishop Of Bradford was
sounding the tocsin for a hue and
cry which would be taken up within
"a hours by every newspaper in the
kingdom.
He must have realized, in part at
least. what the future held for him.
Gives No Hint Of Other Burdens.
And yet he was the perfect host, the
courteous, thoughtful and even gay
friend of Mrs. Simpson, to every out
ward appearance the relaxed execu-
tive happy to be home and at his
freside after the days work. There
were no tell-tale lulls in the conversa-
ton, no feeling of tenseness or pre-
occupation, no word or even the
slightest hint Of what must have been
on his mind and in his heart that
night.
To me it seems obvious that no
ordinary man could grip himself so
firmly in such a crisis, leaving so
gallant an impression that his only
thought was that OF unalloyed pleasure
in being our host. And knowing now
the weight of the burden he was car
rying so lightly, I marvel at the
strength Of his determination that no
shadow of the ominous future should
fall on the woman he held dear, If
he could prevent it.
Our conversation was interrupted
by the voice of the butler at the door:
His majesty's dinner is served"
The King arose and. with Mrs.
Simpson at his side, moved toward
the dining room across the hall.
Mrs. Merryman and followed.
The King Comments on American
Press.
In contrast to the inconsequence
of the chatting about the fireside, the
trend Of conversation at the dinner
table was along much more serious
lines. 1t always is when the King and
Mrs. Simpson sit down to q meal.
There was q discussion of world poll
tics and of affairs in England and
America-the King always refers to
the United States as America.
There was reference, too, to the
manner In which news Of the Kings
friendship for Mrs. Simpson was being
received in the United States.
knowing the broad-mindedness
and chivalry of your country" the
King said, what cannot understand !
is the attitude of your press toward
an American woman who is my
friend"
I repeated what had already told
Wallis-that undoubtedly only the
most unfavorabie of the American
newspaper stories had found their
way into his hands, and that it was
my professional opinion that at least
10 per cent of the stories dealing with
their romance had placed Mrs. Simp-
son in q favorable light.
A Great Admirer Of America.
IT am glad to have your opinion"
he said. "As a great admirer Of
America I would have expected 1t to
be as you say, although, frankly, the
things I have read in American jour-
mails have seemed hardly fair"
Mrs. Simpson took an animated
part in the conversation. Mrs. Merry
man spoke but little, preferring to
listen while her niece and the King
debated some fine point.
Whenever Mrs. Simpson said any
thing she did not want the servants
to overhear she spoke in German and
the King replied in the same language.
And as ! watched and listened
n