December 28 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Howells, thanking him for his letter of Dec. 25 which “was a godsend.” Sam was particularly grateful for Howells:

“…consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston—rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then”

Sam surprised Livy with the “brass fender” he’d ordered on Dec. 20, writing, “…how perfectly naturally it takes its place under the carved oak [mantel]”

“I haven’t done a stroke of work since the Atlantic dinner; have only moped around. But I’m going to try to-morrow. How could I ever have—Ah, well, I am a great & sublime fool. But then I am God’s fool, & all His works must be contemplated with respect” [MTLE 2: 213].

Sam also wrote a postcard to Charles Perkins, with the note that he’d heard “Nothing from Bergen since Dec 8—3 weeks” [MTLE 2: 214]. H.W. Bergen was an agent hired to furnish reports of income from plays on the road.