I wish to write here that Mark Twain, as he neared the end, showed nevera single tremor of fear or even of reluctance. The Emperor was used to this atmosphere, and it did not chill his blood; maybe it was an inspiration to him, for he was al He went on to describe his appreciation in detail, and when the drawingswere complete he wrote again: Hold me under permanent obligations. A critic with a sense of humor asked: Please excuse seemingimpertinence, but were you ever adjudged insane? Be honest.
I would take this opportunity to tell something that I have never been allowed to tell by Mr. I am humanly fond of honors that happen, but chary ofthose that come by canvass and intention. If he was not yetthe foremost American man of letters, he was at least the most widelyknown he sat upon the highest mountain-top. Beecher, July 2, 1895.
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