The Taft home life was informal and just like that of any other normal American family of congenial tastes. They spent many evenings in the privacy of their own family circle with Mrs. Taft at the piano, as had been her lifelong practice. While the two older children were away at school, the house was never dull, as both the Taft and the Herron families were liberally supplied with young people constantly coming or going. Mrs. Taft had five sisters and two brothers, all of whom were married and had families, and the President had three brothers and one sister likewise similarly blessed with children. So there were always nephews and nieces to keep things lively. Miss Helen was not so athletic in her tastes as the Roosevelt girls. She entered Bryn Mawr at sixteen, and by close study won a scholarship for $300, which gave her parents great pride. Her début was not made until her college work was finished. By her own choice, she preferred the scholastic career to that of a social belle. With Mrs. Taft’s many talents, a live college girl in the house, the President a fun-maker and mimic, and young Charlie to furnish boyish pranks and thrills, they never lacked for amusement among themselves. The family generally met at breakfast at eight-thirty, Mrs. Taft following her habit of dressing for the day before this meal. Luncheon was reduced to an apple for the head of the nation, but he usually liked to slip in to visit with his family and guests at this hour. Dinner was at seven-thirty, after which, when they were alone, there would be music or whist. Whenever he went out, the President would tap on Mrs. Taft’s door for her to inspect him, to be sure that his hat was on straight or his bodice not wrinkled, as he facetiously put it. Mrs. Taft made but few changes in the arrangement of furniture or rooms. Miss Helen occupied the same suite used by former belles, and while the members of the family brought but little outside their trunks, the private apartments soon reflected their individual tastes. The President hung his father’s portrait in his study, as he had placed it over every desk he ever occupied. When the time rolled around for him to relinquish his place to Woodrow Wilson, he set his office in order, as his wife did the mansion under her care, bade the congregation of All Souls Unitarian Church farewell from the pulpit, and slipped out of power with the love and respect of those associated with him. Among his hobbies are golf and photograph collecting. After his appointment to the Supreme Court, Washington welcomed him as her own. Miss Helen Taft, who for four years occupied one of the most conspicuous positions in the country, left Washington as unspoiled as when she came, a little girl, from the Governor’s palace in the Philippines. Though constantly fêted she found time for the more serious duties of life and many quiet philanthropies of which the public knew nothing.