November 9 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Charles Bancroft Dillingham, whom he had planned to accompany to Hartford to see the first performance of Lee Arthur’s HF play.
Toward bedtime last night I found out what Clara had been keeping from me because I was to go away Monday—that Mrs.Clemens had lost ground the day & the night before. I overheard a telephone-conversation with the doctor which made me uneasy, & I asked about it. I have not been allowed to see Mrs. Clemens for several weeks, & I had not realized the gravity of her situation these latter days. I had thought she was gaining, but it is not true & I cannot go to Hartford. My place is here.
I greatly wish I could go, for by the letters now coming, I get the impression that those people think I wrote the play‘, & I should want to remove that idea if they have really got it. But if you find it is so, say a word to Charley Clark, & he will set it straight in the Courant. Not elaborately—a couple of lines will answer.
I believe it will improve the performance for Huck to study his character from my book. He will see that it is sharply differentiated from Tom’s, & gains a good deal, with its unconscious depth & long-headedness & sobriety, as contrasted with Tom’s rattle-brained vivacities. However, it may be that he can’t see the deeps & the dignity of Huck’s character; in which case it will perhaps be better to let him play it his own way. We greatly liked Jim, & wished there was more of him. I hope you will have every success in Hartford.
Inasmuch as I was awake all night, I spent to-day in bed, but I sent down stairs at noon & had your office called on the telephone & my message delivered there, so as to give you the most time I could, & cost you the least inconvenience [MTP]. See July 1, 1897 for more on Dillingham.
Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore.
Mrs. Clemens has had three bad nights in succession—with this one—the other two were concealed from me to keep my Hartford trip from being spoiled. I am not frightened, but I am uneasy, for she cannot bear much more. She was only a shadow when I saw her last, a month ago, & could hardly raise herself in bed; Clara reveals to me that she is still frailer now, & weaker. Of course I shall not go to Hartford, now that I know. I am dreadfully sorry for any trouble I have put you & Mrs. Whitmore to, but you will understand. If I were the author of the play I should feel almost obliged to go—still, I should not do it—but in the circumstances my presence will not be important. I only found out by accident, last night, that Mrs. Clemens was not prospering; Clara & the nurse & the doctor can easily conspire together & keep Jean & me in the dark when it seems best & humanest for us, but Clara confessed that she has been on the point once or twice of asking me to remain at home. Henceforth she will not need to ask me; I shall not go out of town any more until her mother is on her feet. Please tell the friends why I do not come.
I judge by the silence (5.15 a.m.) in the sickroom for the last quarter of an hour, that nurse & patient are getting some rest at last. I am grateful for that. I also will try [MTP].
Sam also wrote to an unidentified person. “I am sorry but I am over driven” [MTP].
Hélène Elisabeth Picard wrote from Vosges, France to Sam, addressing it, as she typically did, to “My dear Chief Servant.” She was sad after his letter about Livy, and hoped for her full recovery. She had asked for President Roosevelt to send her a word and she thanked Sam for his evident assurance he would ask. She had been able to get autographs from George Land, Michelet, Edmond About, Emile Zola and Victor Hugo. She lamented the “terrible death” of Zola. She also wrote: “But, I shall add what you said of Bret Harte: I detested the man.—I did. I guess you detested Bret Harte because he left his country and gave his splendid talent to another one, though it is only a guess” [MTP]. Note: Though legible, her hand is so very tiny.