7:15 P.M. Found W. in his room with coat and hat on, reading. Looked picturesque. Complained of feeling chilled. Talked vigorously the short time I stayed. Spoke of "the many strangers" who have been at the house asking for tickets. He said, "It certainly looks as if it would be a be."
We have been anxious to have Brinton here on 21st, but despair of it, from note Mrs. Brinton writes me. W. remarked that "it looks very dubious about the Doctor, too," which was not justified by spirit of note I had from Bucke today—I so told him. When I came to read him his own letter from B., found there was a page he had not read:
It made his face roseate. "That puts quite another face on it!" he exclaimed, and then, "Bucke is a radical out and out: he sees everything with vehemence, takes and keeps hold." W. told me: "Take it along—put it with your batch of lecture notes."
I received also today following letter from Stedman, by his secretary—"Matt Crim." I paused before reading the last paragraph to say, "And now comes the innocentest, most naive proving of Ingersoll for Whitman that you ever saw." Then read:
W. breaking into a hearty laugh: "That certainly is extraordinary: funny—funny—funny!"
W. said Captain Noell had been in with the blanket.
Read him the several additional notes I had received today, from Bucke, Johnston, Baker, and Mrs. Fairchild. Much attracted to all. Constantly refers to Baker as "the model secretary" and then to Mrs. F. as "a woman as big as her writing—nor big only, but handsome, of noble carriage—all to tell of gifts, which are many." Always refers to the "heartiness" of Johnston's letters. Regrets "the girls may not come." Bucke's "recovery—or betterment: that is the best news of all, to be sure." Then W. said, "We seem to be in for a great affair: I can hardly guess what, exactly—only that it is great. The Colonel will undoubtedly surprise us all that night."
I have written Baker new developments. Trouble with tickets. Campbell did not get them till late this afternoon. Sent to Baker tickets for Griffin and the clerks. Works me like a beaver. Will leave final stage arrangements till Baker comes.