6:00 P.M. W. sitting up, reading Camden papers. Had just been resting. I saw Oldach—got from him specimen of paper (color) for book. W. approved. Sends "Wandering Jew" (spoken of yesterday) to Miss Whitman, St. Louis. Gave me ten-dollar bill to get changed in twos to send to Burlington. Exhibited the key to the tomb. Has it in his pocket book. Was it big? Only a minor key, in sooth. He laughed. Had I thought it a giant? "No, I think it will move a mountain." "That door is a mountain." Then again, "They have left that with me, as portent for all good," seeming inclined to be merry about it. Expressed some pleasure over pictures in daily papers. "They carry a good deal with 'em. I think this can be particularly said of the Times pictures." Now the question, "Have you seen Tom? No? I am anxious to have that affair settled. O yes! I will back Tom up—he can go on—I am here at his command." Harned back from Virginia today. Says, "Something decisive will probably appear in a day or two—either a move against Walt or acquiescence in my terms." W. "quite resigned" to let things "take their course." Gave me a couple of complimentary tickets for Annie Besant's lecture on "Theosophy and Occultism" next Friday. "They came with a complimentary letter which I confess I have not yet taken the trouble carefully to read. But you can take the tickets—of course I can't use them."
Left Current Literature with him. Notes there—taken from a speech of Edwin Arnold—saying Walt Whitman's poverty was a "disgrace" to America. W. doubtful about that "disgrace," but Arnold was "given to hasty magnanimity." Also left with him copies of songs from Bolton and the manuscript of Wallace's "Experience" (spiritual illumination or what-not—came from Bucke—I have not yet read it). "He means it for a secret, but not for a secret from you." W.: "I suppose not. Anyway, leave it. I must see what it is like."
Morris had told me about Simon Stein (Philadelphia, Vice-President Finance Co.), who had exclaimed over "Where Meadows Meet the Sea." "I was strongly moved by your extracts from Walt Whitman. Are they all from his book?" Yes, and many more like them! Stein thereupon allowing he would have to go back to the book. W. remarking on this point as I recite to him, "Yes, the best thing for him to do is to go back to the book—yes, that's essential! Stein? Simon Stein? Somehow I know that name but don't know how I know it."
Some more of W.'s comments on "the damned dog" downstairs who had "howled and went on at a great rate."