WASHINGTON — Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's resignation was a closely held secret — even from President Bush — until yesterday morning.

The Supreme Court's head marshal, Pamela Talkin, had called White House Counsel Harriet Miers on Thursday to ask how to deliver a sealed envelope the next day. When she called back yesterday before 9 a.m., Talkin said the letter was from O'Connor.

The news was relayed to Bush and he alerted Vice President Dick Cheney, deputy chief of staff Karl Rove and counselor Dan Bartlett. When the letter arrived around 10:15 a.m., Bush then talked by telephone with O'Connor.

O'Connor even kept the secret from her family. Her son Scott, a Phoenix businessman, said he did not find out until after the announcement. O'Connor has two other sons, Brian and Jay, and several grandchildren.

"She was a little teary-eyed," when she did talk to him, Scott O'Connor said.

Guessing right

William Kristol, the Weekly Standard editor, predicted last month that O'Connor would retire ahead of the widely expected departure of ailing Chief Justice William Rehnquist. He said yesterday friends who were former Supreme Court clerks told him O'Connor had hired only three of the four clerks she is allowed, indicating she didn't want to inconvenience a fourth person who would have to be looking for a job when she retired.

The other big indicator, Kristol said, is that O'Connor recently sold her house and moved with her husband, suffering from Alzheimer's, to a condominium.

What they said

"Justice O'Connor's retirement is an excellent opportunity for the president to fulfill his campaign pledge to help bring the country together, rise above partisan disagreement, and help make sure our court reflects all Americans."

"We live in a better America due to her 24 years of service on the court."

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

By the numbers

36: Justice William O. Douglas holds the record for longest service; he retired in November 1975, having served for 36 years and six months.

145 : The number of Supreme Court nominees. Of those, 29 have failed to be confirmed.

Court firsts

Jewish justice: Louis D. Brandeis (appointed 1916).

Black justice: Thurgood Marshall (appointed 1967).

Female justice: Sandra Day O'Connor (appointed 1981).

On the Web

www.supremecourtus.gov

Compiled from The Associated Press, The Washington Post and Knight Ridder Newspapers