I telegraphed last night “Come Wednesday” because Mrs. Clemens has a menagerie on her hands from now till Tuesday evening—the preparation & achievement of a big lunch party of old ladies to meet her mother.

Raymond strenuously objects to my terms, thus far, but I have no others to offer him. Meantime I have instructed Webster to look sharp for the right actor, & when he thinks he has found him, I will go to New York & see him play. You better watch & inquire—we might strike the right man there.

Raymond is to play the old play in New York after Xmas. So he thinks—but doubtless I’ll spring quite a disorganiz [i]ng surprise on him before that.