May 9 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to Susan Crane.

dear, there has not been a single week of the past 48 which has not brought me reason to say “how grateful I am that Livy is out of it!”

How did she ever live in this execrable world? & why did she love it & wish to stay in it?

Jean does not know why I do not go to Dublin, & I do not want her to find out. I am staying here because Clara is to be operated on for appendicitis to-morrow afternoon & 4 o’clock.

I was to leave for Dublin via Boston last Friday, but on Thursday I learned that Clara was threatened (I was out there) & that she wanted the operation. So did I. I talked with the doctor & the surgeon, & they decided to take 5 days to prepare her physically; since then they have added a day, and appointed to-morrow (Wednesday.) If poor Livy were here, & couldn’t see Clara these 6 days of waiting, nor be present to-morrow! But she isn’t here, she is at peace & knows nothing of these things, & is not troubled about anything, & will never be troubled any more forever. / With abundant love / SLC

Of course I can’t make a guess as to how long I shall be here. It isn’t worth while to guess.

Jean is delighted where she is. Patrick is there; & Miss Lyon, & Theresa & the laundress & Katy. I have the maid (Katherine) & the cook with me, & Katy will join my household to-day I suppose.

I will write or telegraph you to-morrow evening or next day [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “Mr. Clemens is writing his signature a thousand times for a new edition de Suite [MTP TS 18].