He was writing few letters at this time, and doing but little work.  There were always many social events during the winter, and what with his European plans and a diligent study of the German language, which the entire family undertook, his days and evenings were full enough.  Howells wrote protesting against the European travel and berating him for his silence: 

“I never was in Berlin and don’t know any family hotel there.  I should be glad I didn’t, if it would keep you from going.  You deserve to put up at the Sign of the Savage in Vienna.  Really, it’s a great blow to me to hear of that prospected sojourn.  It’s a shame.  I must see you, somehow, before you go.  I’m in dreadfully low spirits about it.

     “I was afraid your silence meant something wicked.”

     Clemens replied promptly, urging a visit to Hartford, adding a
     postscript for Mrs. Howells, characteristic enough to warrant
     preservation.

P. S. to Mrs. Howells, in Boston: 

Feb. ’78.  Dear Mrs. Howells.  Mrs. Clemens wrote you a letter, and handed it to me half an hour ago, while I was folding mine to Mr. Howells.  I laid that letter on this table before me while I added the paragraph about R,’s application.  Since then I have been hunting and swearing, and swearing and hunting, but I can’t find a sign of that letter.  It is the most astonishing disappearance I ever heard of.  Mrs. Clemens has gone off driving—­so I will have to try and give you an idea of her communication from memory.  Mainly it consisted of an urgent desire that you come to see us next week, if you can possibly manage it, for that will be a reposeful time, the turmoil of breaking up beginning the week after.  She wants you to tell her about Italy, and advise her in that connection, if you will.  Then she spoke of her plans—­hers, mind you, for I never have anything quite so definite as a plan.  She proposes to stop a fortnight in (confound the place, I’ve forgotten what it was,) then go and live in Dresden till sometime in the summer; then retire to Switzerland for the hottest season, then stay a while in Venice and put in the winter in Munich.  This program subject to modifications according to circumstances.  She said something about some little by-trips here and there, but they didn’t stick in my memory because the idea didn’t charm me.

(They have just telephoned me from the Courant office that Bayard Taylor and family have taken rooms in our ship, the Holsatia, for the 11th April.)

Do come, if you possibly can!—­and remember and don’t forget to avoid
letting Mrs. Clemens find out I lost her letter.  Just answer her the
same as if you had got it. 
                              Sincerely yours
                                             S. L. Clemens.

     The Howellses came, as invited, for a final reunion before the
     breaking up.  This was in the early half of March; the Clemenses
     were to sail on the 11th of the following month.