I don’t know, Mrs. Augustine.

Does it involve the President?

I’m not sure. I suppose it must, in some way.

Nothing is going to happen to the President, Elizabeth.

Oh, I didn’t mean to say that. Of course nothing is going to happen to him.

Is there anything specific that makes you feel the way you do? No, nothing specific. I guess I just wish…

What? What do you wish?

That everything was the way it was up until six months ago. That the media hadn’t turned against the President, that so many things hadn’t been going wrong and the administration wasn’t under so much pressure. That Peter Kineen and his people weren’t trying to split the party again, the way it was four years ago. Maybe it’s all of those things that make me feel so… uneasy.

Yes. Maybe it is.

Are you all right, Mrs. Augustine? You look a little pale.

I’m just tired, Elizabeth. All this talk about strangeness and tragedy-it’s enough to unnerve anyone.

I’m sorry, Mrs. Augustine. But you insisted that I tell you what was on my mind

Yes. I did, didn’t I?

If you don’t feel well, we could cancel the UJA luncheon today. And I could call Doctor Whiting No. I don’t want to see Doctor Whiting. I’m fine; I’ll go to the luncheon as scheduled

Do you want to dictate any letters this morning?

No. You can leave now, Elizabeth. I’ll call you if I need you.

Just as you say, Mrs Augustine. And I’m sorry again if I upset you; I won’t say anything more about my foolish intuitions. Everything will be all right, I know that.

Of course it will. Everything will be fine.

Tragedy. My God. But she’s wrong, there won’t be any tragedy. Nothing is going to happen to Nicholas. Nothing is going to happen. Nothing is going to happen.

Monday, May 14

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL