April 27 Thursday – The play of Apr. 26 was repeated. James T. Fields and wife came from Boston to see Sam play the slow Dutchman, Peter Spuyk in Loan of a Lover [Clemens to Howells, Apr. 26]. The Fieldses went straight from the train station to the theater. From Annie A. Fields’ diary:
It was a pretty play, and the girl’s part, Gertrude, was well done by Miss Helen Smith; but Mr. Clemens’s part was a creation. I see no reason why, if he chose to adopt the profession of actor, he should not be as successful as [Joseph] Jefferson in whatever he might conclude to undertake. It is really amazing to see what a man of genius can do besides what is usually considered his legitimate sphere [Salsbury 50].
After the play the Fieldses, Sam and William J. Hamersley (1838-1920) went to the Hartford Club for a late supper. The Fieldses stayed at the Clemens’ home from Apr. 27 to 29. It was after midnight when they arrived. Livy was waiting up for them. More from Mrs. Fields:
He believed his wife would have retired, as she is very delicate in health; but there she was, expecting us, with a pretty supper-table laid. When her husband discovered this, he fell down on his knees in mock desire for forgiveness. His mind was so full of the play, and with the poor figure he felt he had made in it, that he had entirely forgotten all her directions and injunctions. She is very small, sweet-looking, simple finished creature, charming in her ways and evidently deeply beloved by him….
Although we had already eaten supper, the gentlemen took a glass of lager beer to keep Mrs. Clemens company while she ate a bit of bread after her long anxiety and waiting [Salsbury 50].
Moncure Conway wrote from London to relate reading the fence whitewashing scene in TS to an enthusiastic crowd. “They laughed till eyes streamed—floors were pounded—and such a gust of cheers was raised to fill the sails (& I hope sales) of that book…” He added a P.S. that “Chatto was charmed and says no book could have a better send-off, he is getting it out as quick as may be” [MTP].
H.B. Langdon wrote from Hartford, objecting to Sam using the word “damned” in the play The Loan of a Lover, which was to be repeated tonight [MTP]. Note: see Sam’s reply Apr. 28