Well, there's a letter dated September 24, 1896, where Twain writes "Yes,
you two know what we feel--but no others among our friends. They have lost
children, but the proportions were not the same." There's a reference in a
letter from the Villa Quarto (on Livy's death) that says he found a letter
from WDH , dated September 13, 1896, in her Old Testament, that also
discusses Susy's death. I lack ready access to the Howells/Twain letters
right now. But I do recall the "club" comment, and I wonder if that's in
the September 13 letter.
H. Hellwig
On Tue, Apr 16, 2013 at 1:11 PM, Hal Bush <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Friends; I'm sorry to bother y'all at this busy time of year. I tried
> really hard to turn this up without the kindness of this LIST. But alas,
> I'm banging my head against the bookshelf, trying to locate an old quote or
> passage that seems to have either disappeared completely from my
> notes/digital files; or else is simply something I once encountered in the
> nether world of dreams . . . .
>
> I believe there is, perhaps in a letter, a passage where Twain tells
> Howells, after Susy's passing, that they were both now members of the
> "club" that nobody ever wished to join. Or the club nobody wanted to
> join. Or something along those lines. Of course, Twain witnessed
> Howells's own encounter with that club, about 7 years earlier... meaning,
> the club of parental grief.
>
> Does that ring a bell for anyone? Perhaps it's WDH saying it to Twain.
> But anyway, any help or guidance much appreciated. I've grown weary and
> embarrassed by my own inability to turn this one up!
>
> -hb
>
> --
> Prof. Harold K. Bush
> Professor of English
> 3800 Lindell
> Saint Louis University
> St. Louis, MO 63108
> 314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h)
> <www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>
>
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