June 1 Monday – In the afternoon in Bloemfontein, S. Africa, Sam wrote to Livy, having received no letter in nearly 48 hours in the town. He rested easy because she was with Clara. He wrote of the landscape and of his activities of the day, taking notes and working on an “extravagant romance,” he’d thought of for “many years.”

I think the veld is just as beautiful as Paradise — rolling & swelling, & rising & subsideing, & sweeping on, & on, & on, like an ocean, toward the remote horizon, & changing its pale brown by delicate shades, to rich orange and finally to purple & crimson where it washes against the hills at the base of the sky.

Land, I’ve made so many notes today that I’m tired; & will lie down & rest till lecture. I’ve been sketching out an extravagant romance that has been mulling in my head for many years, & seems likely to take form, now [MTP]. Note: Livy and Clara were still at the Royal Hotel in Durban.

In the evening Sam gave his “At Home” (No. 2) talk at Town Hall. The Natal Mercury on June 6 reported that Mark Twain was “immensely popular” in Bloemfontein. Sam continued to room at the Free State Hotel [Philippon 20].

Sam’s notebook contains an entry to quote Olive Schreiner about her unfavorable view of the Boers [Gribben 609; NB 38 TS 35]. Also in his notebook:

Like Crusoe upon the footprint & is aghast [Gribben 181; NB 38 TS 28].

What a curious thing a “detective” story is. And was there ever one that the author needn’t be ashamed of, except “The Murders in the Rue Morgue?” [Gribben 552; NB 38 TS 32].