September 13 Sunday – In London, Sam sent a letter of thanks to Charles J. Langdon. (This is the first of several letters with a return address of c/o Chatto & Windus, 111 St. Martin’s Lane, London.)

This is Sunday — a day now holy to me. For it was on this day, four weeks ago, that Susy’s dear voice fell silent forever in this world; & it was on this day, three weeks ago, that that which had been our Susy entered into the shelter & peace of the grave.

Sam thanked Ida Langdon for her “support & comfort,” and daughter Julia Langdon “for her touching letter” (not extant). Though he’d tried, he could not yet write Sue Crane, “whose unselfish devotion” was “beyond any poor words” of his to “rightly praise.”

To her, & to you & Ida & our Jervis & Julie I offer full measure of love & gratitude — & peace be with you all. / SLC. [MTP].

Sam also wrote to coachman Patrick McAleer. Though not extant, it was mentioned in Sam’s 2nd of Sept. 14 to Whitmore [MTP].

In Far Rockaway, Long Island William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.

I remember how you came in one day when we were bleeding from the death of Winnie, and said to me, “Oh did I wake you?” because I suppose my heavy heart had got into my eyes, and I looked sleep-broken. I have never forgotten just how you said it, and the tender intelligence you put into your words, and I wish now my affliction for you and your wife could translate itself into some phrase that could be as nearly like comfort. There is really nothing to say to you, poor souls, and yet I must write, as I have already written to Mrs. Clemens to say that we suffer with you [letter not extant]. As for the gentle creature who is gone, the universe is all a crazy blunder if she is not some where in conscious blessedness that knows and feels your love [MTHL 2: 661-2]. Note: Winnie Howells died Mar. 2, 1889.