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>