The intimate papers of Colonel House arranged as a narrative by Charles Seymour.

A PROGRESSIVE FRIENDSHIP

117

The friendship between the two, however rapidly it
bloomed, was progressive. It is not uninteresting and is perhaps significant to trace its development through the forms
of salutation used by the President in his letters. They met in
November, 1911, and until the following spring Wilson addresses him as 'Dear Mr. House.' But after his nomination,
in August, 1912, he begins to address him as 'Dear Friend,'
signing himself 'Faithfully yours,' or 'Sincerely yours.'
After his election in November, 1912, he signs himself 'Affectionately yours,' and this is constant with the salutation of
'Dear Friend,' for two and a half years. In moments of great
emotion, as at the time of Mrs. Wilson's death, he addresses
him as 'My dear, dear Friend.' In the summer of 1915, at
the period of the Arabic crisis when he was torn by doubt and
worry, the President begins to address him as 'Dearest
Friend,' a salutation which remains invariable until after his
reflection in November, 1916. In January of 1917 the President reverts to the form of address, 'My dear House,' although he continues the conclusion, 'Affectionately yours.'
Otherwise it is impossible to detect in Wilson's letters any
change of tone. It is certain that the political relationship
between the two men remained as close during the two years
that followed; but it is possible that their personal friendship
was most intense between the years 1912 and 1917.
Close spiritual communion was not dependent upon physical propinquity, for the heat drove Colonel House far from
Washington in the spring and frequently several months
would pass without their meeting. Separation seems to have
made no difference in their understanding. 'I never worry
when I do not hear from you,' wrote House. 'No human
agency could make me doubt your friendship and affection.... I always understand your motives.' At the end of each
summer, enterprising and ill-informed newspapermen would
regularly feature a 'break.' 'You are a little behind your
schedule this year, my friend,' said House to a reporter