For many years I've been rewriting a novel about our mutual friend's early
life ('35-"61). I am, in general, troubled by drawls and accents. I  suspect
Sam's. I also deplore the clipped, snooty, nasal sonority affected by  the
English. I am bent on resolving the matter.

I am still researching the English, but thanks to Clara Clemens, I've
nailed
Sam. In her memoir she wrote that after Susy's death, "Father's  passionate
nature expressed itself in thunderous outbursts of bitterness shading  into
rugged grief. He walked the floor with quick steps and there was no drawl
in his
speech now." (p.179)

So there you have it. We know where the drawl came from but not where it
went. I respectfully submit that Hal Holbrook's drawl would go to the same
place
were he goosed with a cattle prod. Arrant  fakery!  Just like the English.

I shall expose them. In my final novel, scheduled to be rewritten  in 2168
or
thereabouts, I shall hang them at Oxford. When SLC dons  that ridiculous red
dress, someone  will yell, "Fire!" and the whole hoity-toity posturing
bunch
will absquatulate the premises swearing in good old-fashioned rapid  fire
general American English.


Lee Coyle