October 1 Monday –  Sam left Fairhaven, Mass. and returned to Dublin, N.H. at 8 p.m. He replied to the Sept. 30 of  Thomas Bailey Aldrich.

I have just returned from another 3 weeks’ junketing—& still with a good conscience, for “wasted time” is no longer a matter of concern to me; at least in the summer time. I have worked pretty steadily for 65 years, & I don’t care what I do with the 2 or 3 that remain to me so that I get pleasure out of them. I am 300,000 words to the good on the autobiography, & if I add an average of 50,000 a month for the rest of my life I shall be satisfied—especially if I can find ways to put in the rest of the month agreeably. If I had you near by I would make you read a chapter of it every day for your sins.

The truth is, I had no business to leave here, & I must not do it again; for Jean’s health is very bad this last fortnight, & I must stay by her henceforth, for no authority but mine can control her when she is ill—& she is always ill, poor child, these latter months. With greatest love to you all—  [MTP; time of arrival in Dublin in Oct. 3 to Teller].

Sam also wrote to Charlotte Teller Johnson that he would be down in about ten days, “Meantime cheer up, don’t give it up, don’t be discouraged. It must come out all right” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King has come back—now all things will be right, for I have dropped my responsibility—ordinarily I can carry it, but not when it has sucked out all my strength. He was so beautiful, so gay, so full of his trip & of Santissima’s concert & of his playings at Fairhaven. There is no one who can play so successfully as the King can. He is so fond of Mrs. Harry Rogers & calls her his “Pal.” He made a badge or a coat of arms for the “pals” while he was in Fairhaven this time in a bottle of Saccharine & a candle on a shield with “Sweetness & Light” for the motto. Their partnership was to torment or to provide entertainment for those who were playing cards—Bridge or Poker—by throwing in remarks, personal remarks—& this they’d keep up until one of them would be thrown from the room.

But the joy of the restfulness of having him back. I almost cry with happiness & with relief. I sent for him on Sat., for Dr. Stowell said that if I didn’t, he would [MTP TS 125].