December 16 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “And this day?” [MTP TS 120].

Hélène Elisabeth Picard wrote a long letter in a tiny hand.

My dear Chief Servant, / A hearty wish for a blessed Christmas to you and your family, and for many happy returns of the day is leaving my desk to start westward in the direction of your home. May those terrific tempests and angry winds allow my wishes to find your door in time, that you might know your French Member has also thought of you.

I was more than sorry not to know where to reach you, while you were in Paris; I did so want to send you a welcome to my dear country! If only I had known six weeks before about your coming to Paris! I should have gone later myself, so as to have the great honour and pleasure of seeing you in reality (and not on photos) and of shaking your hand, the one who has written so many books that I have read, reread and shall read again…

I am reading now your autobiography; a friend sends me the St. Louis paper. Unfortunately it can give me but little information for a serious literature lesson I have to prepare before next Friday on O.W. Holmes, Stanley and “Mark Twain”  [MTP]. Note: evidently Picard was under the misapprehension that Sam had gone to Paris during his sojourn to England.

Joe Twichell wrote a short note to Sam. “Here is a photo of R.L. Stevenson’s house at Samoa, given me by the man who took it—Mr Merry, a  Canadian, a traveler, at present a tuberculosis patient at Saranac Lake and lodging in the house next to Dave’s [Joe’s son]. As you well knew Stevenson it has seemed to me that the picture will be , not only interesting to you, but better placed in your hands than in mine. I am glad to give it to you. / Yrs Aff. …” [MTP]. Note: copy of photo in file of a two story house with ornate porches and a sign, “Villa Vailima”