May 18 Tuesday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers, “unspeakably glad” to report that “just this minute” he had “finished this book again” (FE). He’d been able to add 30,000 words by “making fun” of the Jameson raid, an account he’d feared would be boring and uninteresting. Evidently Bliss had paid the required $10,000, so Sam thought he would send the MS directly to Bliss.

I was offered 20% royalty here by one good house & 25 by another; but as Chatto is anxious to pay the latter rate I think I shall end by staying with him. …

It has taken me 7 months to write this book—& all of a sudden I feel tired. Love to you all [MTHHR 276-7].

Sam also wrote a note on a calling card to Livy: “May 18 / Livy dear, the book is finished. / SLC” [MTP].

Sam’s notebook: “Finished the book again. Addition of 30,000 words” [NB 41 TS 24].