April 14 Monday – Mary Mason Fairbanks wrote from Cleveland this day or Apr. 13.

My dear Hartford children— / Why do I hear nothing from you? So often of late have my thoughts turned questioningly towards you only to come back unanswered, that I am constrained to send this little messenger out of my ark, in search of you.

      Of course the breezes of rumor give me unreliable items of “Mark Twain” here & “Mark Twain”—but what is that, when I am wondering how you are—how Livy is—how Susie is—what your hopes are—what your fears, if any—the nameless yearnings we have a right to feel for those we love.

      My own season is peaceful. Mr. Fairbanks and I have passed a quiet but a happy winter, looking hopefully to a summer reunion—when the vacations send our children home. Do you still hold to the plan of going abroad in May? How very much I wish you could spend the summer with us. We would domicile you in the little cottage at the gate where you might receive us or shut us out. I suppose however you would scorn such plebian hospitality now.

      Pray give me hope that sometime you’ll come down from the heights of Plantagenet dinners to drink a glass of milk with us.

      Love & kisses for Livy and the wee Susie who is now a young lady of something more than twelve-months. / Faithfully Yours / Mother Fairbanks [MTL 5: 340].