Mary Todd Lincoln's faux pas (plural), worse, and much worse

[David Lockmiller]

(06-17-2014 12:51 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Obviously I'm a bit slow on the uptake, but where's the issue about the two accounts? Does the Marquis' "we" exclude Clara Harris, or does Clara Harris' account exclude the Marquis accompanying them through the White House? I think the two just didn't pay much attention to each other, and I would guess the Marquis was a bit too proud to share the main role (as Mrs. Lincoln's guest) in his account with Clara Harris. Or did I miss another issue?

The Marquis' "we" account does in fact exclude Clara Harris.

"I did not stay too long, in order to let him rest, and escorted Mrs. Lincoln down to the parlor where she habitually receives. A third person, Miss Harris, daughter of one of the New York Senator, completed our intimate trio."

"Trio" means three. President Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln, the Marquis, plus Clara Harris totals four. The trio did not include President Lincoln and the trio was formed after the Marquis "escorted Mrs. Lincoln down to the parlor where she habitually receives."