November 23 Tuesday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Howells, answering his Nov. 21 letter, which praised The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Howells had made a few pencil suggestions and corrections, mostly in the first third of the book, and recommended Sam cut the last chapter. Howells, like Sam, grew up in the Midwest, and the book undoubtedly stirred boyhood memories, although Howells’ boyhood was not as idyllic as Sam’s. Howells wished he’d been on that island and loved the treasure hunting, the loss in the cave, etc. Sam responded that Howells opinion was “glorious news,” and agreed that it was a “book for boys, pure & simple,” but one that adults might also enjoy. Sam wrote some revealing lines about his writing:

“In spite of myself, how awkwardly I do jumble words together; & how often I do use three words where one would answer—a thing I am always trying to guard against” [MTL 6: 594].