April 30 Monday – In New York on Players Club stationery, Sam wrote to Grace King about Madame Blanc taking offense at his article, “Private History of the ‘Jumping Frog’ Story” in April’s North American Review. See April entry.

Oh, it isn’t a bit of use. I have not offended; it is Mme B.’s French obtuseness which is to blame. She owes herself an apology. …

You see, the whole trouble lies in the French character. It hasn’t a shred of humor in it, consequently there is no depth to it; its compass, regulator, balance-wheel, is lacking. When you have hurt a Frenchman, you have hurt a child; you can’t reason with him, you can only kiss him & pet him & flatter him.

If I ever run across Mme. B. I mean to tell her I was not intending to offend her. I don’t imagine it will do any good; but I couldn’t say any more & make it sound sincere.

Sam also wrote he was to sail in nine days and join the family in Paris, then leave “right away” for Aix-les-Bains, where Livy would seek relief for gout in the fingers; her other ailments were getting better [MTP].