July 16 Monday – In New York Sam wrote on Players Club stationery to Mary Mason Fairbanks in Newton, Mass. He was sorry for her “great loss” of her husband, Abel Fairbanks (1817-1894), who died in Boston on July 4 [MTLMF 274]. After a few comforting words, Sam wrote :

I left Livy making a little progress, but looking ill & thin. It is wonderful, what that frail body of hers can do. But it isn’t the body, it is the spirit back of it, our course — a spirit which hasn’t its match in this world, I think, for fortitude & endurance — grit. Susy’s health is very poor, but we think it is improving. Clara & Jean are thoroughly well.

I am here for a week or two on business, then I return to France & the family [MTP; MTMF 274-5].