November 25 Sunday – In N.Y.C. Sam inscribed his “bad liquor good” aphorism in a copy of HF to Isabel Lyon’s journal (in Hartford): “Quietly in bed I stayed. Hattie came in in the morning. I saw Leila in the afternoon” [MTP TS 148]. Note: see letter to Clemens below. Garth W. Cate [MTP].  

Isabel V. Lyon wrote a note to Sam.

I was unhappy to have to go away yesterday without the chance of having you speak to me; but the human race was getting it, for you were saying that the human race was a disappointment, & no better than—or not so good as—the monkey. I went down to the front steps feeling like the monkey—a sorry monkey, & by his looks you know how sorry a monkey can feel. Hattie Enders came in today after church & she said beautiful things that have to be converted into beautiful messages for you.

I am feeling better after much sleep, but I am still that humiliated, and I am hoping that all goes well with you, and that it goes merrily, too [MTP].

Sam then wrote on Lyon’s above note to Mary B. Rogers (Mrs. H.H. Rogers, Jr.).  

[crosswritten on second page:] I was dictating, in the front room, ground floor, when she passed out to take her train. She heard only the opening sentence: “I believe that our Heavenly Father invented man because he was disappointed in the monkey.” I have told the stenographer to write and tell her she only heard the gentlest sentence in the whole chapter—wait and see the rest.

You see, I didn’t know anybody was overhearing me. I don’t mind Miss Lyon, but it might have been you, & it might have been Clara; I don’t want either of you around except when I am concealing my real opinion. There’s no considerable liberty possible, where there’s a niece or a daughter on the bridge.

At this very moment I am only waiting for Clara to depart for her train, then I am going to get up & do some forbidden things & have a pleasant time. 10 minutes later. She has come, & she has gone. I shall have adventures now [MTP].