September 28 Wednesday – At the Villa Viviani in Florence, Sam wrote to Laurence Hutton at the Hotel Royal Danichi in Venice. Sam added the note to the envelope, “To be kept till the cuss comes.” He recommended a pension (similar to today’s hostel) to Hutton, should he not wish a hotel.

Eight francs a day per person, baths & lights & that sort of thing extra. Most highly recommended.

The Clarke sisters, English ladies long resident in Florence, were well off but an investing relative busted them. They went into the pension business for a livelihood — they also teach Italian. They have succeeded [MTP].

Sam’s notebook in Florence:

Sept. 28. Paid up all the accounts of Angelo and Pasquale for house expenses to Sept. 23, except their and Gigia’s wages. Divided 25 fr. among them for putting the Villa in order — 10 each to the men, 5 to G [NB 32 TS 27].

Miss Katie Tolle wrote asking Sam if she was kin; her late grandmother, then Emily Crews, had spoken often of Sam. If Sam knew what the relation was, could he write? [MTP]. Note: no listing for Crews was found in genealogies searched.