Page 197 - The Story of My Lif

…Teacher and I spent the afternoon at Mr. Hutton’s, and had a most delightful

time!… We met Mr. Clemens and Mr. Howells there! I had known about them
for a long time; but I had never thought that I should see them, and talk to them;
and I can scarcely realize now that this great pleasure has been mine! But, much
as I wonder that I, only a little girl of fourteen, should come in contact with so
many distinguished people, I do realize that I am a very happy child, and very
grateful for the many beautiful privileges I have enjoyed. The two distinguished
authors were very gentle and kind, and I could not tell which of them I loved
best. Mr. Clemens told us many entertaining stories, and made us laugh till we
cried. I only wish you could have seen and heard him! He told us that he would
go to Europe in a few days to bring his wife and his daughter, Jeanne, back to
America, because Jeanne, who is studying in Paris, has learned so much in three
years and a half that if he did not bring her home, she would soon know more
than he did. I think Mark Twain is a very appropriate nom de plume for Mr.
Clemens because it has a funny and quaint sound, and goes well with his
amusing writings, and its nautical significance suggests the deep and beautiful
things that he has written. I think he is very handsome indeed….

Teacher said she thought he looked something like Paradeuski. (If that is the way
to spell the name.) Mr. Howells told me a little about Venice, which is one of his
favorite cities, and spoke very tenderly of his dear little girl, Winnifred, who is

now with God.

He has another daughter, named Mildred, who knows Carrie. I might have seen
Mrs. Wiggin, the sweet author of “Birds’ Christmas Carol,” but she had a

dangerous cough and could not come. I was much disappointed not to see her,
but I hope I shall have that pleasure some other time. Mr. Hutton gave me a
lovely little glass, shaped like a thistle, which belonged to his dear mother, as a
souvenir of my delightful visit. We also met Mr. Rogers…

who kindly left his carriage to bring us home.

When the Wright-Humason School closed for the summer, Miss Sullivan and
Helen went South.

TO MRS. LAURENCE HUTTON