July 22 Sunday – Sam was in NYC. He signed and inscribed a photograph of himself in his three-piece white suit in a rocking chair, to Mai Rogers (Mrs. William R. Coe): “A happy voyage to you dear Mrs. Coe & a speedy return! Sincerely yours, S.L. Clemens July 22, 1906.” On the back he wrote, “Shall I learn to be good? ….I will sit here & think it over” [Skinner Auctioneers Nov. 19, 2006, Sale 2341, Lot 27].  

Isabel Lyon’s journal (Dublin, N.H.): Jean & I lunched with the Thayers today. The table was spread out on the porch & when the meal was nearly finished Mr. Thayer came from his studio where he had been at work painting Eleanor Fisher. He was ever o interesting as usual, when he got well started on his protective coloration investigations. Mary Thayer’s fiancé Frederick Birch was there too. He seemed a very insignificant young man, but he ceased to be that when he warmed up to his subject of insect life—moths & butterflies in particular, & he brought down a case of exquisitely mounted creatures for our inspection. On the way home we picked up ABP & he & I read Orion letters until nearly seven o’clock. Gerome Brush was here for dinner & he told us a lot about his play [MTP TS 99-100].

Frederic Chapin wrote from Oak Park, Ill., once again inquiring about making a musical comedy of P&P. The first time Chapin applied, he’d been directed to Elisabeth Marbury; she informed him that Daniel Frohman owned the stage rights for the play. He recently wrote Frohman who directed him to write Clemens direct [MTP]. See ca. July 25 for Sam’s reply.