Sunday.
My Dear Howells—
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.
Yrs Ever
Mark
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Previous publication:
MTHL, 1:447–48.
Provenance:
see Howells Letters in Description of Provenance.