November 23 Tuesday — Sam and Paine Stayed at the Hamilton Hotel for the first three days of their visit, which D, Hoffman cites from Marion Allen’s diary as unexpected [135]. Paine writes of their activities the day after their arrival:
Within a day after our arrival we were driving about those coral roads along the beaches, and by that marvelously variegated water. We went often to the south shore, especially to Devonshire Bay, where the reefs and the sea coloring seem more beautiful than elsewhere. Usually, when we reached the bay, we got out to walk along the indurated shore, stopping here and there to look out over the jeweled water—liquid turquoise, emerald lapis-lazuli, jade, the imperial garment of the Lord.
At first we went alone with only the colored driver, Clifford Trott, whose name Clemens could not recollect, though he was always attempting resemblances with ludicrous results. A little later Helen Allen, an early angel-fish member already mentioned, was with us and directed the drives, for she had been born on the island and knew every attractive locality, though, for that matter, it would be hard to find there a place that was not attractive.
Clemens, in fact, remained not many days regularly at the hotel, He kept a room and his wardrobe there; but he paid a visit to Bay House—the lovely and quiet home of Helen’s parents—and prolonged it from day to day, and from week to week, because it was a quiet and peaceful place with affectionate attention and limitless welcome. Clifford Trott had orders to come with the carriage each afternoon, and we drove down to Bay House for Mark Twain and his playmate, and then went wandering at will among the labyrinth of blossom-bordered, perfectly kept roadways of a dainty paradise, that never, I believe, becomes quite a reality even to those who know it best [MTB 1543]. Note: Paine does not specify, but it’s likely the “later” trips with Helen Allen came days after this day. Clifford Trott would daily pick up Paine at the Hamilton Hotel and take him to the Bay House to collect Clemens and Helen Allen.
Lincoln National Bank per David C. Grant wrote to advise Sam of a charge to his account for $707.56, for draft of £144 drawn by Mrs. Clara Gabrilowitsch” [MTP]. ,