To William Dean Howells
5 March 1884 • Hartford, Conn.
(MS: MH-H, UCCL 02933)

Hartford Mch 5/84.

Dear Howells—

At last I’ve told Webster to stop writing & telegraphing conundrums to me which rack my head off & yet remain unguessed. Have told him to arrive at some sort of an agreement, & then come up & tell me, & explain it, by word of mouth.

Susie’s turn. She has had 4 of the most hellfiredest days & nights, now, with the mumps—has suffered 13 times more than cCable did (whose pains lasted but 2 days), & yet has not made as much fuss in the 4 days as he used to make in 15 minutes; though she has shed whole barrels of noiseless tears. She staid in our room last night. None of us slept. I think she & her mother spent the night praying. But I didn’t.

Yrs Ever

Mark.