I ate at hearty breakfast at 9 this morning. On the hotel car at 1 p.m., I took a sirloin steak & mushrooms, sweet potatoes, Irish ditto, plate of trout, bowl of tomato soup, 3 cups of coffee, 4 pieces of apple pie (or one complete pie), 2 plates of ice cream & 1 orange. But I stopped then, on account of the expense, although still hungry.

To-night a noble hall to talk in, & an audience befitting it. Both of us had a gorgeously good time. I saw ladies swabbing their eyes freely & undisguisedly after Cable’s “Night Ride.” He did it well.

W After the performance we came down & tagged along behind the audience, halting to be introduced to people, & a most gentle-faced attractive girl in black kept looking back as if she were trying to muster pluck enough to speak to me; & finally she stopped, hesitated, her party heartened her up, & she came to me & put out her hand & said with a little tremor of fright in her voice, “Don’t you remember me, Mr. Clemens?” (It was her joke—I had been reciting “A Trying Situation”). I said, “No, but I do wish I did. But I’ll remember you next time—don’t you be afraid about that.” Then she thanked me timidly but very nicely for the evening’s entertainment, & then re-joined her father & sister, & they all seemed pleased with her—& so was I. It was a very pleasant adventure.

I got Susie’s letter, which was ever so welcome; & yours, too, which was also most welcome; & I so I have sent you a telegram to tell you the hoarseness is utterly gone—I filled that huge hall to-night with not even an effort.

I love you my darling, I do indeed. And I send love to mother & to those little chaps, too.

I have just finished a robust supper, of beefsteak &c. I travel 6 or 8 hours by rail without the slightest touch of weariness.