January 4 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:  The King sent up an irritated message to me by Katherine this morning. “Was I ill? If not, then some telephoning.” I hopped out of bed, and put on wrapper and a shawl and went down. He was crossish—as the King has never been before— & pounded the bed. Dan Frohman must be telephoned to at once for a box for Ethel Barrymore’s play today—But Dan Frohman is never at his Lyceum office until after 11. I had my little campaign laid out for the King but he didn’t suspect it & he imagined I was just loafing. However, he reached for Kipling’s “Five Seas” and he read aloud, “The Bell Buoy.” Gradually his mood changed to sweet naturalness again. All the harsh edges gone & at 2 he set out for the matinee. He has been resting of late. Resting & sleeping a lot, & so is less nervous

—The Templetons came over for billiards, & the King was sweet & gay. Mr. T. said that the King’s name had been down as a juryman for the Thaw trial & the King told how when he was in Riverdale, he was drafted; he got Tom Reed to get him off and then when he was drafted again he got Mr. Rogers to get him off & then when he was drafted a 3rd time he went down to see Judge Seabury & had a nice little speech prepared. The place was full of people trying to get off & when the King reached Judge Seabury he began, “Your honor if you will allow me to explain my incompetency to act as juryman, and the great inconne-.” Judge Seabury broke in “Mr. Clemens, you want to be let off, and certainly you shall be.” So the King’s little speech was never made. He had high praise for Judge Seabury as a handsome creature, & very courteous [MTP: IVL TS 3]. Note: Ethel Barrymore in Her Sister, playing at a 2:30 p.m. matinee. See insert.

Robert J. Collier wrote to reassure Miss Lyon that Sam’s presence at the meeting of the Educational Theatre was not required; that his duties were “purely honorary” [MTP].

Reuben P. Hallack wrote from the Male High School in Louisville, Ky to gain formal permission to give three performances of P&P [MTP]. Note: see Jan. 2 from Harpers on this issue.