The rumors that we don't get along are absurd," says Edward Cox of his father-in-law President Nixon. "It's difficult for us to really disagree on anything, because he's such a great listener. He likes to examine all sides of an issue and all possible solutions to a problem. When you come right down to it, our political philosophies are very, very similar. No one could ask for a better father-in-law."

Edward Cox was speaking out for the first time on his relationship with the President and on other rumors of marital troubles between him and his wife Tricia. Tricia herself was breaking months of public silence on Watergate. Until now the young couple has been the most publicity-shy of the Nixon family—Tricia's sister Julie Eisenhower once described her as "the Howard Hughes of the White House."

"Sure we love each other," says Cox. "We get along fine. We both work very hard—I in my law practice and Trish in the house. The divorce rumors were so unbelievable that when they were first published, Trish didn't even bother to phone me. She was in San Clemente with her parents, but I wasn't able to get off from work. When she returned I was out of town on a case. When we next saw each other I found her cleaning the kitchen floor. Now, if a divorce was pending she wouldn't be cleaning the house!" The President, says Cox, was especially disturbed about the rumors. "He is more concerned with what is said about his family than what is said about him."

Although Cox, a junior member of a New York City law firm, is unable to spend much time with Mr. Nixon, the two men did watch some televised football games together last season, and on Edward's 27th birthday last October Nixon telephoned with his best wishes. Cox is careful to address his father-in-law as "Mr. President," as does Julie's husband David.

Cox has avoided comment on Watergate, but last fall, he says, he came close to entering the case. "I wanted to take leave from my law practice," he says, "and help without pay in the [President's] defense. But even though I would have been a volunteer, I gave up the idea. It would have had the appearance of nepotism."

Like her sister Julie, Tricia is a fierce advocate in her father's defense. "In New York City I get out and meet maybe 50 to 100 people during the day, just on the streets or in the A&P where I shop. They come up and say the most beautiful things like 'We love your father—he's a great President and such a good man'—'Don't let him become discouraged.' Everyone I know feels this way."

Whenever the President's family talks about Watergate, Tricia says, her father "comforts us. He'll say, 'We haven't done anything wrong. Everything will come out all right, so don't worry.' So we don't and he doesn't."

Tricia keeps in constant touch with her parents by telephone, calling once or twice a day. She spends most of her time homemaking, a job she has found enjoyable. The Coxes maintain a two-bedroom apartment on the east side of Manhattan without servants.

"In the beginning," she says, "I was even afraid to turn on the stove. I read each recipe over and over and used four or five timers." Now she confidently serves dinners for six or eight friends.

"I always offer to help with the dishes," Edward says, "but unless I push her out of the kitchen, Trish absolutely won't let me do them."

When Cox has to work weekends, Tricia occasionally brings sandwiches for quick "office picnics" with him. Edward rides the bus or subway to work and, for exercise, sometimes walks up the 28 flights to their apartment. Evenings they frequently read to each other, books by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Saki and Somerset Maugham.

The Nixons as a family see the positive side of Watergate, Tricia says. "We've had a lot of close ties over the years, emotional and spiritual. And now we have this, bringing us even closer, if that's possible. There is something Julie and my mother and I share in common. We love my father very much and we want to see him able to complete the work he started and was elected to complete. I think it would be the greatest tragedy our country has ever known if my father were to resign."