‸Return Webster’s letter to me.‸
Hartford Jan. 20/84.
My Dear Howells—
So Webster has gone to see Florence. That takes that confounded letter off my mind. The trip will fail. Then I will go to New York & see some comedians play. Because this isn’t a Madison Square piece. We will put it into the hands of a special actor.
Let the Madison Square nibble—by the time they work themselves up to a fair rate of remuneration we can have a play ready for them.
I suppose lots of people will say it is safe to let John get out of bed within 6 weeks after he is well; but history does seem to condemn that course. What are 6 weeks in bed, to a well person, when life-long deafness or blindness may result from spending part of the 6 out of bed? Our Patrick could answer that with a sigh. One of his children is deaf.
Ys as ever
Mark
Source text(s):Previous publication:
MTHL, 2:465–66.
Provenance:
see Howells Letters in Description of Provenance.
