“Perhaps she was not alone; I would say no more,” he said.

“Sir,” said Nelly Custis, “you have brought me up to speak the truth, and when I told grandmamma that I was alone, I hoped that you would believe me.”

“My child,” said Washington, bowing in his courtly fashion, “I beg your pardon.”

His Temper

Stuart, the portrait painter, once said to General Lee that Washington had a tremendous temper, but that he had it under wonderful control.  While dining with the Washingtons, General Lee repeated the first part of Stuart’s remark.  Mrs. Washington flushed and said that Mr. Stuart took a great deal upon himself.  Then General Lee said that Mr. Stuart had added that the President had his temper under wonderful control.  Washington seemed to be thinking for a moment, then he smiled and said, “Mr. Stuart is right.”

His Smile

The popular idea that Washington never laughed is well-nigh exploded.  Nelly Custis said, “I have sometimes made him laugh most heartily from sympathy with my joyous and extravagant spirits.”

When the news came from Dr. Franklin in France that help was promised from that country, General Washington broke into a laugh, waved his cocked hat, and said to his officers, “The day is ours!” Another story is to the effect that while present at the baptism of a child of a Mr. Wood, he was so surprised to hear the name given as George Washington that he smiled.  Senator Maclay tells of his smiling at a state dinner, and even toying with his fork.  Various sources testify that a smile lent an unusual beauty to his face.

At one time, as Washington entered a shop in New York, a Scotch nursemaid followed him, carrying her infant charge.  “Please, sir, here’s a bairn was named after you.”

“What is his name?” asked the President.

“Washington Irving, sir.”

Washington put his hand upon the child’s head and gave him his blessing, little thinking that “the bairn” would write, as a labor of love, a life of Washington.

While at his Newburgh headquarters the General was approached by Aaron Burr, who stealthily crept up as he was writing, and looked over his shoulder.  Although Washington did not hear the footfall, he saw the shadow in the mirror.  He looked up, and said only, “Mr. Burr!” But the tone was enough to make Burr quail and beat a hasty retreat.

A man who, well for himself, is nameless, made a wager with some friends that he could approach Washington familiarly.  The President was walking up Chestnut Street, in Philadelphia, when the would-be wag, in full view of his companions, slapped him on the back and said, “Well, old fellow, how are you this morning?” Washington looked at him, and in a freezing tone asked, “Sir, what have I ever said or done which induces you to treat me in this manner?”

Thoughtfulness

After Washington’s retirement from the Presidency, Elkanah Watson was a guest at Mount Vernon.  He had a serious cold, and after he retired he coughed severely.  Suddenly the curtains of his bed were drawn aside, and there stood Washington with a huge bowl of steaming herb tea.  “Drink this,” he said, “it will be good for that cough.”