The Rest of the Story

​In September 1882, Mabel Loomis Todd painted a watercolor of the white woodland plant “Indian Pipe” on a black, gilt-edged panel, and she sent it to Dickinson as a token of friendship. In response Dickinson wrote this to Todd:

"That without suspecting it you should send me the preferred flower of life, seems almost supernatural, and the sweet glee that I felt at meeting it, I could confide to none. ...I know not how to thank you. We do not thank the Rainbow, although it's Trophy is a snare."

The complete letter is HERE.

Then, that October, Dickinson sent this "gift" in return:

Dear friend,

I cannot make an Indian Pipe but please accept a Humming Bird.

A Route of Evanescence
With a revolving Wheel -
A Resonance of Emerald -
A Rush of Cochineal -
And every Blossom on the Bush
Adjusts it's tumbled Head -
The mail from Tunis probably,
An easy Morning's Ride -

Upon receipt of this letter poem, Todd wrote this in her diary:

 “I shall always keep this odd note – so strong, so full of meaning and so poetical….This letter made me happier than almost any other I have ever received. It fairly thrilled me!” 

I’ve included this quote in a few of my recent posts; however, there’s more to it.  I haven’t provided the full quote. Take a look at what comes next below where I have picked up just after the ellipsis:

 “This letter made me happier than almost any other I have ever received. It fairly thrilled me, which shows that my susceptibility to magnetic friendships is not entirely confined to men, as I have occasionally thought myself.” 

That’s right!  Ms. Todd recognized  and was very aware of her own charm and charisma in attracting and beguiling men.  And by the way, it was around this time of September 1882 that Todd and Austin Dickinson (Emily’s brother) entered into their romantic tangle.  Todd had attended a whist party (a card game) at Austin and Susan Dickinson’s home, and the night after the party, the two professed their love for one another. Austin Dickinson wrote the word “Rubicon” in his personal journal.
​
Their spouses found out almost immediately. David Todd was compliant; he himself had – shall we say – a roving eye for women. Susan Dickinson's fury would never be placated.

The affair, at times, bloomed into a ménage-a-trois involving Mabel’s husband, David Todd, and, at least once, a ménage-a-quatre, with another woman taking part. Todd herself kept records in her diary, and used codes to keep track of her menstrual periods, orgasms, with whom she made love (David or Austin) , and how often. 

Are you ready for this? Here’s one example of Austin’s and Mabel’s journal entries, from January 3, 1886:

Austin:  “at the other house 3 to 5 and +=====XXX.”

Mabel, from the same date:  “A most exquisitely happy and satisfactory two hours.”

LOL – I’m not making this up! I could go on with more examples – but I think you get the picture.  I just threw in these few saucy details to punctuate Todd’s own awareness of her influence on and “susceptibility to magnetic friendships” with men. 

Below:  "David & Mabel & Austin & Susan:  Soon to be a major motion picture!