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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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Perkins:

No. At least, I have no recollection. I may have noticed Wallace, but I have no recollection of any --well, now, wait a minute. You mean that he could have been thinking what might have been? I don't think that was any thing that could have troubled him. What was, was, and he accepted the inevitable. I don't think his ambition to be President was so great that it would have effected his feelings at that moment. Of course he was deeply shocked, as we all were. But I didn't notice him particularly, nor do I have any recollection of having any particular conversation with him that day. He's an unusually sensitive man, and he perhaps therefore showed the signs of his shock a little more than most people would.

We talked about it a little while with each other. Mr. Truman said of course he had to assume the burden now. He realized that. It was a terrible shock to him and a terrible load that had been placed upon him. And he made one of these comments of his which is so characteristic of him--that he did not feel worthy, he did not feel strong enough, he did not feel as though it were possible for him to carry this load. It had been the last thing he had thought of, but with the help of God he would do it, and he would do the best he could. He wanted us to stand by and stay with him, at least for the present, and he would attempt to undertake his duties in the





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