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Basin Harbor, Vt.
Thursday, Aug. 15, 1940.
Having invited Tafts and Pertsches in for drinks at 5:30 PM, I went to Vergennes in the afternoon to get some more Scotch and having a little time on my hands, drove out to see if I could find Dana Bennett's place. It was easy to locate, an old farm fixed up and overlooking Lake Champlain and screened from the road by a dense hedge of pines. I debated long with myself about going in, my old diffidence working hard on me. But finally, I did overcome it and drove in. Dana came to the door himself, a heavy dark moustache and looking like he hadn't shaved in two days - typically Dana Bennett, with the old leery grin and drawl.  He seemed glad to see me. His wife is thin and not attractive looking but very pleasant - looks older than he if anything. He is writing, reporting, and is mixed up in Vermont politics - says he is known now as the "greatest isolationist in Vermont" - is publicity manager for Gov. Aiken in his campaign for reelection - was going up to confer with the Governor tomorrow - talked big as usual - had just missed going to Europe in the spring to cover "half of Europe" for Newsweek - was expecting a Newsweek editor anytime to confer with him. It was the same old Dana. Maybe he does have  a lot on the ball now but I wondered if a lot of it wasn't the old bragadoccio. I was glad I stopped. Dana is interesting and friendly and I like to keep in touch with him. For me too, it was a personal triumph over my diffidence and reticence.