June 4 Friday – In Hartford Sam responded to Howells’ letter of the previous day, agreeing to the suggestion about the check. As for the Sellers as Scientist play (which became The American Claimant in 1887), Sam wrote:

I am being persecuted by all the unknown comedians between hell & Halifax; they all want our piece. I hope you get your share of the applications.

Sam related hearing General John A. Logan speak once, when every one of 3,000 people save General Grant reflected the torture. As for Grant, Sam wrote:

…the effect upon his outside was as null as if he had been a petrification [MTP].

Koto House had been visiting at the Clemens’ residence. On this evening she “had a large audience of random visitors…and told them about Japanese customs” [Sam to House June 5]. Note: A. Hoffman writes, “people suspected that the relationship [between House and Koto] was not quite filial” [335]. No other reference or citation supporting this suggestion could be found.