24 July 1882 • Elmira, N.Y. (MS, in pencil: MH-H, UCCL 02239)
Many thanks for your mediation with Mr. Norton, who has excused me most gracefully.
Those godly theiieves of the Madison Square have not written me, but no matter about that: you write the play & send it along—there’s plenty theatres beside the Madison, & I’ll not sell it for nothing, be sure of that. And if the Madison should bid & buy, I will see it that they don’t play any of their religious games on us.
Jean is nearly well, at last. She has been having a rough teething time for a fortnight, & is a skeleton with the complexion of a ghost, now.
We all send love to you & yours.
You didn’t intend Bartley for me, but he is me, just the same, & I enjoy him to the utmost uttermost, & without a pang. Mrs. Clemens indignantly says he doesn’t resemble me—which is all she knows about it.
MS, in pencil, MH-H (shelf mark bMS Am 1784 [98]).
MTHL, 1:411–13.
See Howells Letters in Description of Provenanceclick to open link.