What in the world could it have been?—that favor which you asked of me. The memory of it has gone entirely out of me—every vestige of it; & what you say about it does not help me. You say it is “all right,” & I hope it is; but if it isn’t, do fire it at me again & I will be worthier of the trust, this time. That I don’t always have letters by me when I answer them, & then I am more than apt to forget things that were in them.

I do just long for a run to Japan, but I know we can’t have it, because it would make such a wide hiatus in the children’s musical schooling. But for that, we might possibly manage it by taking a governoess along to keep up their other studies. Housekeeping is such an awful burden upon Mrs. Clemens, that I believe she will break down under it unless I can get her out of it for a year or two. If I could only get a thoroughly competent housekeeper!—one who would run this concern softly & smoothly, & yet be a servant & not want to be a member of the family & sit at the table. Isn’t there such a Japanese woman? And couldn’t she bring with her a waitress & a a competent cook?—or couldn’t she beg the cook & her husband the housekeeper? Maybe if these marvels are possible I can persuade Mrs. Clemens to go to Japan & inspect the market. She won’t listen a moment to the suggestion of a housekeeper, & yet she won’t quit this treadmill & board. If some true friend only would set this house on fire!

I am leaving home, now, to infest the platform for 4 months. Think of the insanity of it! I wish I hadn’t promised; but it is too late, now, to cry about it.

◊◊◊ Four days hence I shall have the pleasure of casting a vote against Mr. Blaine; shall vote the entire democratic ticket, from President down to town constable. All the republicans of this section are & have for years been bitter against Blaine; but they are party-slaves & nearly all will vote for him—including all the clergy but two—Twichell & one other. Lord, the amount of buzzard these shabby people are gorging, these days!

I wish you cou and Koto could hear the music of the German tongue as discoursed by Jean Clemens when she gets into an angelic fury & finds the English language inadequate.

We all send a power of love to you & Koto, & yearn to look upon your faces.