Submitted by scott on

April 29 before – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Emily B. Hapgood : “Dear M . Hapgood: / Mr. Clemens wishes me to write for him—and say that he will be very happy if you and Mr. Hapgood can dine with him and Miss Jean on Saturday evening Apr. 29th at half past seven” [MTP].

April 29 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Bambino must be keeping a heart-rending journal. He sat close to Katie when she telephoned to the tumbrel man to come carry him to a death—but he didn’t sit by me when I countermanded that order, and so he ran away. How big and terrible and impossible Prosper [Jean’s dog] must have seemed to him. What a change has come into his darling life loving life. Love lavished and then Oh so suddenly withdrawn, of course he couldn’t quite comprehend. Still he knew there must be a good reason, and so in his pride he ran away. Oh, fine fine Bambino.

But Bambino came back, because Katie captured him. Hungry, tired, dusty, streety, but still Bambino. I came in about 7:20 after dinner at Cecchina’s with Mother, and Mr. Clemens hearing my latch key, put his head out the library door saying “That black cat has come back and gone upstairs” and there he was waiting for me up a flight. I had him to love and love for a while and then put him and some milk down the cellar. Oh, he is so lovable, poor little cat.

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Hapgood dined here tonight. I could hear their voices in happy laughterin echo to a remark of Mr. Clemens [MTP: TS 54]. Note: tumbrels were carts used to carry victims to the guillotine in the French revolution.

Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: Treatment

Rent

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Hapgood will dine here at 7:30

Mr. Clemens talked with Mr. Larkin about the furnace matter. Mr. Larkin will take charge of it —

Harper sent the proof of the little Adam Monument article—[MTP TS 17].

Day By Day Acknowledgment

Mark Twain Day By Day was originally a print reference, meticulously created by David Fears, who has generously made this work available, via the Center for Mark Twain Studies, as a digital edition.   

Contact Us