W. had shown no improvement in night. I was there at 10:10 and hoped to have some chance to get at him with the contract, of which Stedman is anxious and even has written Morris. But he was too peacefully at sleep to be roused up—and even if aroused so would probably not have consented to the effort. I wrote to Stedman last week to have patience—it is difficult to say when, if ever, our purpose will be achieved. W. coughs a great deal. Is pale and fatigued. Talks with difficulty. Shows no interest in things. Looks at the paper and his mail an instant—for ten minutes or so—then relapses for the rest of the day. Now and then if we go into the room he will make some remark, but it is generally a general one, about us or the weather—and he quickly subsides into his world of silence. No opportunity yet to put up the bed. Luckily he does not object to it. Mrs. Keller broached the subject the other day and it led to no objections—in fact he wearily assented to the idea. It stands in its dismembered condition down in the hallway and parlor noW. No doubt he will feel its benefits promptly.
8:40 P.M. Bucke's letter of 19th is here. J. H. Johnston writes me. Letter came the other day. I at once replied. (In fact, write him nearly every day.)
I should insert A. Stedman's letter on which W. commented the other day, re O'Connor. I wrote Baker Friday to telegraph me where the Colonel could be telegraphed Sunday or Monday. He replied Saturday. Tonight I telegraphed Ingersoll at Detroit: "Whitman has spent three bad days."
9:20 P.M. At 328 again. W. had been so bad all the day that no attempt had been made to set the bed up. Stole into room—dark—he breathed heavily—coughed a great deal. No one here today. Scrawled to Bucke a note in which I enclosed the Doctor's and my bulletins for a month. W. awoke as I was there—was discouraged. Did not have much to say. "I seem to be washed out—to go forth with the tide—the never-returning tide." Very pathetic—tone and gesture—the lifting of the right arm—a "good night" and then the trip home and some work there.