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with a big log fire at one end and Christmas decorations all about. There was tea table at one end and bar at the other - Marshall Raymond and "Stud" Taylor were the bartenders. Everyone of the 70 or 80 people there circulated constantly, visiting, meeting wives, renewing old acquaintanceships. Tipton was there in his captain's uniform, fresh from camp, looking splendid and drinking too much in the good old Tippy way. He said Carroll Hanly is in too - a major - but laid up with much shots at camp. I'm glad he got in - he never belonged in WPB. John Grace and his wife and daughter were there - very charming, the whole family. Press Miller and his wife, apparently pregnant again, were there too - learned Press rowed on the Yale crew - he is a fine boy and has a fortune. I had two scotch high balls but they were strong enough to carry me well from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, when I left! Stevenson was there but his wife was ill - I was sorry not to be able to meet her, a former actress, I am told. He and John Grace were drinking Martinis when I left and Andrew said they started [[underline]]at noon[[/underline]] and had tried to get me! It was a very charming party and after meeting many of the wives I had never seen, I realize that from the standpoint of friends, it wouldn't be bad to bring the family here. It was a great crowd. Fred Barden, in immaculate and perfectly groomed afternoon clothes, was the perfect host - I must give him credit for conceiving and executing an extremely charming affair. He was in his element obviously and he certainly did an outstanding job of making everyone feel at home.