December 24 Thursday – Sam wrote from Lansing to his sister Pamela. Sam wished the family Merry Christmas and sent his mother and the children money. He expected to spend a few days around New Year’s in Cleveland with the Fairbankses [MTL 2: 347-8]. Sam began a letter to Mary Mason Fairbanks, which he completed the following day.

“I shall arrive at your house Dec. 28—& shall leave again Jan. 2—except that I shall lecture in Akron Dec. 30. I skip Dayton for the present.”

He told her of wheedling an invitation for a one-night stay at the Langdon’s on Dec. 17. He confided to Mary of Livy’s sadness at the idea of leaving home to live in Cleveland, and of her father’s plans to sell out when and if she left home. Sam asked Mary to write to Livy. As he wrote, it passed midnight, and Sam noted “Christmas is here.” Then he compared Bethlehem on the night of Christ’s birth with his seeing the place [MTL 2: 348-51].