May 31 Wednesday – Rodney writes of the end of May and the family’s plans:

“It was the end of May and time for another perennial migration. Housekeeping in the comfortable villa had to be abandoned, the burdensome luggage had to be packed and trunks dispatched, a courier engaged, and railway tickets transacted. Berlin was to be their destination, but Mark Twain had the misimpression that their journey would be by way of Paris, where Susy would spend some time training her voice for a possible career in opera. The railway guide provoked her father with its prospect of another long train trip” [149-50].

From Sam’s notebook:

Thursday, May 31. — Gave livery men 2 weeks notice of termination of contract. Lame horse. Call & explain. …

27 ½ hours (to Paris fm Florence) of inconvenience, discomfort & irritation at $40 apiece. Even if nothing were charged it would still be robbery, since it robs one of its serenity, his self-respect, & his bodily comfort. Have heard people speak admiringly of this odious journey [NB 33 TS 16].