(5 of 5)
Now comfortably wealthy from returns from his writings, awards for his nights (beginning with a $25,000 award for his flight to Paris, given by Raymond Orteig who died last week—see p. 55), many another source, Lindbergh sees before him the friendly prospect of a normal life in his own country, but between it and him lies the high fence of misunderstanding. To his old friends he is almost unchanged, still direct, cheerful, frank, a little more mature and self-possessed. To the U. S. public before which he cannot appear without growing gawky, from which he instinctively shrinks, he is still the enigmatic hero.
After twelve years Charles Lindbergh's social status will probably soon be decided. Either the pursuit of the public will drive him to lead an almost monastic life. abandoning the world which other men enjoy, or perhaps now at last hero worship will die a natural death. Some day soon he and his wife may try going to dinner and the theatre in Manhattan. If they are not hounded too much they may do it again and again. They may send their sons to U. S. schools like other boys. If that time comes, twelve long dark years of war between the U. S. people and their hero will end.