HewasnotalwayscomplimentarytothosewhoundertooktoChristianizetheIndians；buthedidnotfailtowritehisadmirationoftheircourage——theirverywillingnesstoendureprivationandeventhefiendishsavagetorturesforthesakeoftheirfaith。\"Whatmannerofmenarethese？\"hewrote，aproposoftheaccountofBressani，whohadundergonethemostdevilishinflictionswhichsavageingenuitycoulddevise，andyetreturnedmaimedanddisfiguredthefollowingspringto\"dareagaintheknivesandfierybrandoftheIroquois。\"ClemenswaslikelytobeonthesideoftheIndians，buthardlyintheirbarbarism。Inoneplacehewrote：
ThatmenshouldbewillingtoleavetheirhappyhomesandendurewhatthemissionariesenduredinordertoteachtheseIndianstheroadtohellwouldberational，understandable，butwhytheyshouldwanttoteachthemawaytoheavenisathingwhichthemindsomehowcannotgrasp。
Otherhistories，mainlyEnglishandFrench，showedhowhehadreadthem——
readanddigestedeverywordandline。ThereweretwovolumesofLecky，muchworn；AndrewD。White’s’ScienceandTheology’——achiefinterestforatleastonesummer——andamongthecollectionawell—worncopyof’ModernEnglishLiterature——ItsBlemishesandDefects’，byHenryH。Breen。Onthetitle—pageofthisbookClemenshadwritten：
HARTFORD，1876。Usewithcare，foritisascarcebook。Englandhadtoberansackedinordertogetit——orthebooksellerspeakethfalsely。
HeoncewroteapaperfortheSaturdayMorningClub，usingforhistextexamplesofslipshodEnglishwhichBreenhadnoted。
Clemenshadapassionforbiography，andespeciallyforautobiography，diaries，letters，andsuchintimatehumanhistory。Greville’s’JournaloftheReignsofGeorgeIV。andWilliamIV。’hehadreadmuchandannotatedfreely。Greville，whileheadmiredByron’stalents，abhorredthepoet’spersonality，andinoneplacecondemnshimasaviciouspersonandadebauchee。Headds：
Thenhedespisespretendersandcharlatansofallsorts，whileheishimselfapretender，asallmenarewhoassumeacharacterwhichdoesnotbelongtothemandaffecttobesomethingwhichtheyareallthetimeconscioustheyarenotinreality。
Clemenswroteonthemargin：
But，dearsir，youareforgettingthatwhatamanseesinthehumanraceismerelyhimselfinthedeepandhonestprivacyofhisownheart。Byrondespisedtheracebecausehedespisedhimself。IfeelasByrondid，andforthesamereason。Doyouadmiretherace&
consequentlyyourself？
Alittlefurtheralong——whereGrevillelamentsthatByroncantakenoprofittohimselffromthesinfulcharactershedepictssofaithfully，Clemenscommented：
IfByron——ifanyman——draws50characters，theyareallhimself——50
shades，50moods，ofhisowncharacter。Andwhenthemandrawsthemwellwhydotheystirmyadmiration？Becausetheyareme——I
recognizemyself。
AvolumeofPlutarchwasamongthebiographiesthatshowedusage，andtheLifeofP。T。Barnum，WrittenbyHimself。TwoYearsBeforetheMastheloved，andnevertiredof。ThemorerecentMemoirsofAndrewD。WhiteandMoncureD。Conwayboth，Iremember，gavehimenjoyment，asdidtheLettersofLowell。AvolumeoftheLettersofMadamedeSevignehadsomeannotatedmarginswhichwerenotcomplimentarytothetranslator，orforthatmattertoSevigneherself，whomheoncedesignatesasa\"nauseating\"
person，manyofwhoselettershadbeenuselesslytranslated，aswellaspoorlyarrangedforreading。Buthewouldreadanyvolumeoflettersorpersonalmemoirs；noneweretoopoorthathadthethroboflifeinthem，howeverslight。
OfsuchsortwerethebooksthatMarkTwainhadlovedbest，andsuchwereafewofhiswordsconcerningthem。Someofthembelongtohisearlierreading，andamongtheseisDarwin’s’DescentofMan’，abookwhoseinfluencewasalwayspresent，thoughIbelievehedidnotreaditanymoreinlateryears。InthedaysIknewhimhereadsteadilynotmuchbesidesSuetoniusandPepysandCarlyle。TheseandhissimpleastronomiesandgeologiesandtheMorteArthureandthepoemsofKiplingwereseldomfarfromhishand。
CCLXXXVIII
ABERMUDABIRTHDAY
ItwasthemiddleofNovember，1909，whenClemensdecidedtotakeanotherBermudavacation，anditwasthe19ththatwesailed。IwenttoNewYorkadayaheadandarrangedmatters，andontheeveningofthe18threceivedthenewsthatRichardWatsonGilderhadsuddenlydied。
Nextmorningtherewasothernews。Clemens’soldfriend，WilliamM。
Laffan，oftheSun，haddiedwhileundergoingasurgicaloperation。I
metClemensatthetrain。HehadalreadyheardaboutGilder；buthehadnotyetlearnedofLaffan’sdeath。Hesaid：
\"That’sjustit。GilderandLaffangetallthegoodthingsthatcomealongandInevergetanything。\"
Then，suddenlyremembering，headded：
\"Howcuriousitis！IhavebeenthinkingofLaffancomingdownonthetrain，andmentallywritingalettertohimonthisStetson—Eddyaffair。\"
IaskedwhenhehadbegunthinkingofLaffan。
Hesaid：\"Withinthehour。\"
ItwaswithinthehourthatIhadreceivedthenews，andnaturallyinmymindhadcarrieditinstantlytohim。Perhapstherewassomethingtelepathicinit。
HewasnotatallillgoingdowntoBermuda，whichwasafortunatething，forthewaterwasroughandIwasquitedisqualified。Wedidnotevendiscussastronomy，thoughtherewaswhatseemedmostimportantnews——thereporteddiscoveryofanewplanet。
ButtherewasplentyoftalkonthesubjectassoonaswegotsettledintheHamiltonHotel。Itwaswindyandrainyout—of—doors，andwelookedoutonthedrenchedsemi—tropicalfoliagewithagreatbambooswayingandbendingintheforeground，whilehespeculatedonthevastdistancethatthenewplanetmustliefromoursun，towhichitwasstillasatellite。
Thereporthadsaidthatitwasprobablyfourhundredbillionsofmilesdistant，andthatonthisfarfrontierofthesolarsystemthesuncouldnotappeartoitlargerthantheblazeofatallowcandle。Tousitwaswhollyincrediblehow，inthatdimremoteness，itcouldstillholdtruetothecentralforceandfollowatasnail—pace，yetwithunvaryingexactitude，itsstupendousorbit。ClemenssaidthatheretoforeNeptune，theplanetaryoutpostofoursystem，hadbeencalledthetortoiseoftheskies，butthatcomparativelyitwasrapidinitsmotion，andhadbecomeanearneighbor。Hewasagooddealexcitedatfirst，havingsomehowtheimpressionthatthisnewplanettraveledoutbeyondthenearestfixedstar；butthenherememberedthatthedistancetothatfirstsolarneighborwasestimatedintrillions，notbillions，andthatourlittlesystem，evenwithitsnewadditions，wasachild’shandbreadthontheplaneofthesky。HehadbroughtalongasmallbookcalledThePithofAstronomy——afascinatinglittlevolume——andhereadfromitaboutthegreattempestoffireinthesun，wherethewavesofflamerolluptwothousandmileshigh，thoughthesunitselfissuchatinystarinthedeepsoftheuniverse。
IfIdwellunwarrantablyonthisphaseofMarkTwain’scharacter，itisbecauseitwasalwayssofascinatingtome，andthecontemplationofthedramaoftheskiesalwaysmeantsomuchtohim，andsomehowalwaysseemedakintohiminitsproportions。Hehadbeenbornunderaflamingstar，awandereroftheskies。Hewashimself，tome，alwaysacometrushingthroughspace，frommysterytomystery，regardlessofsunandsystems。ItisnotlikelytorainlonginBermuda，andwhenthesuncomesbackitbringssummer，whatevertheseason。Withinadayafterourarrivalweweredrivingaboutthosecoralroadsalongthebeaches，andbythatmarvelouslyvariegatedwater。Wewentoftentothesouthshore，especiallytoDevonshireBay，wherethereefsandtheseacoloringseemmorebeautifulthanelsewhere。Usually，whenwereachedthebay，wegotouttowalkalongtheinduratedshore，stoppinghereandtheretolookoutoverthejeweledwaterliquidturquoise，emeraldlapis—lazuli，jade，theimperialgarmentoftheLord。
Atfirstwewentalonewithonlythecoloreddriver，CliffordTrott，whosenameClemenscouldnotrecollect，thoughhewasalwaysattemptingresemblanceswithludicrousresults。AlittlelaterHelenAllen，anearlyangel—fishmemberalreadymentioned，waswithusanddirectedthedrives，forshehadbeenbornontheislandandkneweveryattractivelocality，though，forthatmatter，itwouldbehardtofindthereaplacethatwasnotattractive。
Clemens，infact，remainednotmanydaysregularlyatthehotel。Hekeptaroomandhiswardrobethere；buthepaidavisittoBayHouse——thelovelyandquiethomeofHelen’sparents——andprolongeditfromdaytoday，andfromweektoweek，becauseitwasaquietandpeacefulplacewithaffectionateattentionandlimitlesswelcome。CliffordTrotthadorderstocomewiththecarriageeachafternoon，andwedrovedowntoBayHouseforMarkTwainandhisplaymate，andthenwentwanderingatwillamongthelabyrinthofblossom—bordered，perfectlykeptroadwaysofadaintyparadise，thatnever，Ibelieve，becomesquitearealityeventothosewhoknowitbest。
Clemenshadanoccasionalparoxysmduringtheseweeks，buttheywerenotlikelytobesevereorprotracted；andIhavenodoubtthepeaceofhissurroundings，theremotenessfromdisturbingevents，aswellasthebalmytemperature，allcontributedtohisimprovedcondition。
Hetalkedprettycontinuouslyduringthesedrives，andhebynomeansrestrictedhissubjectstojuvenilematters。Hediscussedhistoryandhisfavoritesciencesandphilosophies，andIamsurethathisdriftwasrarelybeyondtheunderstandingofhisyoungcompanion，foritwasMarkTwain’sgifttophrasehisthoughtsothatitcommandednotonlytherespectofage，butthecomprehensionandtheinterestofyouth。
Irememberthatoncehetalked，duringanafternoon’sdrive，ontheFrenchRevolutionandtheridiculousepisodeofAnacharsisCloots，\"oratorandadvocateofthehumanrace，\"collectingthevastpopulaceofFrancetoswearallegiancetoakingeventhendoomedtotheblock。TheverynameofClootssuggestedhumor，andnothingcouldhavebeenmoredelightfulandgraphicthanthewholeepisodeasherelatedit。
HelenaskedifhethoughtsuchathingasthatcouldeverhappeninAmerica。
\"No，\"hesaid，\"theAmericansenseofhumorwouldhavelaugheditoutofcourtinaweek；andtheFrenchmandreadsridicule，too，thoughheneverseemstorealizehowridiculousheis——themostridiculouscreatureintheworld。\"
Onthemorningofhisseventy—fourthbirthdayhewaslookingwonderfullywellafteranightofsoundsleep，hisfacefullofcolorandfreshness，hiseyesbrightandkeenandfullofgood—humor。Ipresentedhimwithapairofcuff—buttonssilver—enameledwiththeBermudalily，andIthoughtheseemedpleasedwiththem。
Itwasrathergloomyoutside，soweremainedindoorsbythefireandplayedcards，gameaftergameofhearts，atwhichheexcelled，andhewasusuallykepthappybywinning。Therewerenovisitors，andafterdinnerHelenaskedhimtoreadsomeofherfavoriteepisodesfromTomSawyer，sohereadthewhitewashingscene，PeterandthePain—killer，andsuchchaptersuntiltea—time。Thentherewasabirthdaycake，andafterwardcigarsandtalkandaquietfiresideevening。
Once，inthecourseofhistalk，heforgotawordanddenouncedhispoormemory：
\"I’llforgettheLord’smiddlenamesometime，\"hedeclared，\"rightinthemidstofastorm，whenIneedallthehelpIcanget。\"
Laterhesaid：
\"Nobodydreamed，seventy—fouryearsagoto—day，thatIwouldbeinBermudanow。\"AndIthoughthemeantagooddealmorethanthewordsconveyed。
ItwasduringthisBermudavisitthatMarkTwainaddedthefinishingparagraphtohisarticle，\"TheTurning—PointinMyLife，\"which，atHowells’ssuggestion，hehadbeenpreparingforHarper’sBazar。Itwasacharacteristictouch，and，asthelastsummaryofhisphilosophyofhumanlife，mayberepeatedhere。
Necessarilythesceneoftherealturning—pointofmylifeandofyourswastheGardenofEden。Itwastherethatthefirstlinkwasforgedofthechainthatwasultimatelytoleadtotheemptyingofmeintotheliteraryguild。Adam’stemperamentwasthefirstcommandtheDeityeverissuedtoahumanbeingonthisplanet。AnditwastheonlycommandAdamwouldneverbeabletodisobey。Itsaid，\"Beweak，bewater，becharacterless，becheaplypersuadable。\"
Thelatercommand，toletthefruitalone，wascertaintobedisobeyed。NotbyAdamhimself，butbyhistemperament——whichhedidnotcreateandhadnoauthorityover。Forthetemperamentistheman；thethingtrickedoutwithclothesandnamedManismerelyitsShadow，nothingmore。Thelawofthetiger’stemperamentis，Thoushaftkill；thelawofthesheep’stemperamentis，Thoushaltnotkill。Toissuelatercommandsrequiringthetigertoletthefatstrangeralone，andrequiringthesheeptoimbrueitshandsinthebloodofthelionisnotworthwhile，forthosecommandscan’tbeobeyed。Theywouldinvitetoviolationsofthelawoftemperament，whichissupreme，andtakesprecedenceofallotherauthorities。IcannothelpfeelingdisappointedinAdamandEve。
Thatis，intheirtemperaments。Notinthem，poorhelplessyoungcreatures——afflictedwithtemperamentsmadeoutofbutter，whichbutterwascommandedtogetintocontactwithfireandbemelted。
WhatIcannothelpwishingis，thatAdamandEvehadbeenpostponed，andMartinLutherandJoanofArcputintheirplace——thatsplendidpairequippedwithtemperamentsnotmadeofbutter，butofasbestos。
Byneithersugarypersuasionsnorbyhell—firecouldSatanhavebeguiledthemtoeattheapple。
Therewouldhavebeenresults！Indeedyes。Theapplewouldbeintactto—day；therewouldbenohumanrace；therewouldbenoyou；
therewouldbenome。Andtheold，oldcreation—dawnschemeofultimatelylaunchingmeintotheliteraryguildwouldhavebeendefeated。
CCLXXXIX
THEDEATHOFJEAN
Hedecidedtogohomefortheholidays，andhowfortunateitseemsnowthathedidso！WesailedforAmericaonthe18thofDecember，arrivingthe21st。Jeanwasatthewharftomeetus，blueandshiveringwiththecold，foritwaswretchedlybleakthere，andIhadthefeelingthatsheshouldnothavecome。
Shewentdirectly，Ithink，toStormfield，hefollowingadayortwolater。Onthe23dIwaslunchingwithJeanalone。ShewasfullofinterestinherChristmaspreparations。Shehadahandsometreesetupintheloggia，andthepackageswerepiledaboutit，withnewonesconstantlyarriving。Withherfarmmanagement，herhousekeeping，hersecretarywork，andherChristmaspreparations，itseemedtomethatshehadherhandsoverfull。Suchamentalpressurecouldnotbegoodforher。IsuggestedthatforatimeatleastImightassumeapartofherburden。
Iwastoremainatmyownhomethatnight，andIthinkitwasasIleftStormfieldthatIpassedjeanonthestair。Shesaid，cheerfully，thatshefeltalittletiredandwasgoinguptoliedown，sothatshewouldbefreshfortheevening。Ididnotgoback，andIneversawheraliveagain。
IwasatbreakfastnextmorningwhenwordwasbroughtinthatoneofthemenfromStormfieldwasoutsideandwishedtoseemeimmediately。WhenI
wentouthesaid：\"MissJeanisdead。Theyhavejustfoundherinherbath—room。Mr。Clemenssentmetobringyou。\"
Itwasasincomprehensibleassuchthingsalwaysare。IcouldnotrealizeatallthatJean，sofullofplansandindustriesandactionlessthanadaybefore，hadpassedintothatvoicelessmysterywhichwecalldeath。
HarryIlesdrovemerapidlyupthehill。AsIenteredClemens’sroomhelookedatmehelplesslyandsaid：
\"Well，Isupposeyouhaveheardofthisfinaldisaster。\"
Hewasnotviolentorbrokendownwithgrief。Hehadcometothatplacewhere，whatevertheshockortheill—turnoffortune，hecouldacceptit，andeveninthatfirstmomentoflossherealizedthat，forJeanatleast，thefortunewasnotill。Hermaladyhadneverbeencured，andithadbeenoneofhisdeepestdreadsthathewouldleaveherbehindhim。
Itwasbelieved，atfirst；thatJeanhaddrowned，andDr。Smithtriedmethodsofresuscitation；butthenhefoundthatitwassimplyacaseofheartcessationcausedbythecoldshockofherbath。
TheGabrilowitscheswerebythistimeinEurope，andClemenscabledthemnottocome。LaterinthedayheaskedmeifwewouldbewillingtocloseourhomeforthewinterandcometoStormfield。HesaidthatheshouldprobablygobacktoBermudabeforelong；butthathewishedtokeepthehouseopensothatitwouldbethereforhimtocometoatanytimethathemightneedit。
Wecame，ofcourse，fortherewasnothoughtamonganyofhisfriendsbutforhiscomfortandpeaceofmind。JervisLangdonwassummonedfromElmira，forJeanwouldlietherewiththeothers。
Intheloggiastoodthehalf—trimmedChristmastree，andallaboutlaythepackagesofgifts，andinJean’sroom，onthechairsanduponherdesk，werepiledotherpackages。Nobodyhadbeenforgotten。Forherfathershehadboughtahandsomeglobe；hehadalwayswantedone。OncewhenIwentintohisroomhesaid：
\"IhavebeenlookinginatJeanandenvyingher。Ihavenevergreatlyenviedanyonebutthedead。Ialwaysenvythedead。\"
Hetoldmehowthenightbeforetheyhaddinedtogetheralone；howhehadurgedhertoturnoverapartofherworktome；howshehadclungtoeverydutyasifnow，afteralltheyears，shewasdeterminedtomakeupforlosttime。
Whiletheywereatdinneratelephoneinquiryhadcomeconcerninghishealth，forthepapershadreportedhimasreturningfromBermudainacriticalcondition。Hehadwrittenthisplayfulanswer：
MANAGERASSOCIATEDPRESS，NewYork。
IhearthenewspaperssayIamdying。Thechargeisnottrue。I
wouldnotdosuchathingatmytimeoflife。IambehavingasgoodasIcan。
MerryChristmastoeverybody！MARKTWAIN。
Jeantelephoneditforhimtothepress。Ithadbeenthelastsecretaryserviceshehadeverrendered。
Shehadkissedhishand，hesaid，whentheyparted，forshehadaseverecoldandwouldnotwishtoimpartittohim；thenhappilyshehadsaidgoodnight，andhehadnotseenheragain。Therecitingofthiswasgoodtohim，foritbroughtthecomfortoftears。
Later，whenIwentinagain，hewaswriting：
\"Iamsettingitdown，\"hesaid——\"everything。Itisarelieftometowriteit。Itfurnishesmeanexcuseforthinking。\"
Hecontinuedwritingmostoftheday，andatintervalsduringthenextday，andthenext。
ItwasonChristmasDaythattheywentwithJeanonherlastjourney。
KatieLeary，herbabynurse，haddressedherinthedaintygownwhichshehadwornforClara’swedding，andtheyhadpinnedonitaprettybucklewhichherfatherhadbroughtherfromBermuda，andwhichshehadnotseen。NoGreekstatuewasevermoreclassicallybeautifulthanshewas，lyingthereinthegreatliving—room，whichinitsbriefhistoryhadseensomuchoftheroundoflife。
Theyweretostartwithjeanataboutsixo’clock，andalittlebeforethattimeClemenshewasunabletomakethejourneyaskedmewhathadbeenherfavoritemusic。IsaidthatsheseemedalwaystocaremostfortheSchubertImpromptu。——[Op。142，No。2。]——Thenhesaid：
\"Playitwhentheygetreadytoleavewithher，andaddtheIntermezzoforSusyandtheLargoforMrs。Clemens。WhenIhearthemusicIshallknowthattheyarestarting。Tellthemtosetlanternsatthedoor，soI
canlookdownandseethemgo。\"
SoIsatattheorganandbeganplayingastheyliftedandboreheraway。
Asoft，heavysnowwasfalling，andthegloomofthoseshortestdayswasclosingin。Therewasnottheleastwindornoise，thewholeworldwasmuffled。Thelanternsatthedoorthrewtheirlightoutonthethicklyfallingflakes。Iremainedattheorgan；butthelittlegroupatthedoorsawhimcometothewindowabove——thelightonhiswhitehairashestoodmournfullygazingdown，watchingJeangoingawayfromhimforthelasttime。Iplayedsteadilyonashehadinstructed，theImpromptu，theIntermezzofrom\"Cavalleria，\"andHandel’sLargo。WhenIhadfinishedI
wentupandfoundhim。
\"PoorlittleJean，\"hesaid；\"butforheritissogoodtogo。\"
Inhisownstoryofithewrote：
FrommywindowsIsawthehearseandthecarriageswindalongtheroadandgraduallygrowvagueandspectralinthefallingsnow，andpresentlydisappear。Jeanwasgoneoutofmylife，andwouldnotcomebackanymore。Thecousinshehadplayedwithwhentheywerebabiestogether——heandherbelovedoldKatie——Wereconductinghertoherdistantchildhoodhome，whereshewillliebyhermother’ssideoncemore，inthecompanyofSusyandLangdon。
Hedidnotcomedowntodinner，andwhenIwentupafterwardIfoundhimcuriouslyagitated。Hesaid：
\"ForonewhodoesnotbelieveinspiritsIhavehadamostpeculiarexperience。Iwentintothebath—roomjustnowandclosedthedoor。
Youknowhowwarmitalwaysisinthere，andtherearenodraughts。AllatonceIfeltacoldcurrentofairaboutme。Ithoughtthedoormustbeopen；butitwasclosed。Isaid，’Jean，isthisyoutryingtoletmeknowyouhavefoundtheothers？’Thenthecoldairwasgone。\"
Isawthattheincidenthadmadeaverygreatimpressionuponhim；butI
don’trememberthatheevermentioneditafterward。
Nextdaythestormhadturnedintoafearfulblizzard；thewholehilltopwasaraging，drivingmassofwhite。Hewrotemostoftheday，butstoppednowandthentoreadsomeofthetelegramsorlettersofcondolencewhichcamefloodingin。Sometimeshewalkedovertothewindowtolookoutonthefurioustempest。Once，duringtheafternoon，hesaid：
\"Jeanalwayssolovedtoseeastormlikethis，andjustnowatElmiratheyareburyingher。\"
LaterhereadaloudsomelinesbyAlfredAustin，whichMrs。CranehadsenthimlineswhichhehadrememberedinthesorrowforSusy：
Whenlastcamesorrow，aroundbarnandbyreWind—careensnow，theyear’swhitesepulchre，lay。
\"Comein，\"Isaid，\"andwarmyoubythefire\"；
Andthereshesitsandnevergoesaway。
ItwasthateveningthathecameintotheroomwhereMrs。PaineandIsatbythefire，bringinghismanuscript。
\"IhavefinishedmystoryofJean’sdeath，\"hesaid。\"Itistheendofmyautobiography。Ishallneverwriteanymore。Ican’tjudgeitmyselfatall。Oneofyoureaditaloudtotheother，andletmeknowwhatyouthinkofit。Ifitisworthy，perhapssomedayitmaybepublished。\"
Itwas，infact，oneofthemostexquisiteandtenderpiecesofwritinginthelanguage。Hehadendedhisliterarylaborswiththatperfectthingwhichsomarvelouslyspeakstheloftinessandtendernessofhissoul。Itwasthoroughlyinkeepingwithhisentirecareerthatheshould，withthisraredramatictouch，bringittoaclose。Aparagraphwhichheomittedmaybeprintednow：
December27。DidIknowjean’svalue？No，IonlythoughtIdid。
Iknewaten—thousandthfractionofit，thatwasall。Itisalwaysso，withus，ithasalwaysbeenso。Wearelikethepoorignorantprivatesoldier—dead，now，fourhundredyears——whopickedupthegreatSancydiamondonthefieldofthelostbattleandsolditforafranc。Laterheknewwhathehaddone。
ShallIeverbecheerfulagain，happyagain？Yes。Andsoon。ForIknowmytemperament。AndIknowthatthetemperamentismasteroftheman，andthatheisitsfetteredandhelplessslaveandmustinallthingsdoasitcommands。Aman’stemperamentisborninhim，andnocircumstancescaneverchangeit。
Mytemperamenthasneverallowedmyspiritstoremaindepressedlongatatime。
ThatwasafeatureofJean’stemperament，too。Sheinheriteditfromme。Ithinkshegottherestofitfromhermother。
JeanClemenshadtwonaturalendowments：thegiftofjusticeandagenuinepassionforallnature。Inalittlepaperfoundinherdeskshehadwritten：
IknowafewpeoplewholovethecountryasIdo，butnotmany。
Mostofmyacquaintancesareenthusiasticoverthespringandsummermonths，butveryfewcaremuchforittheyearround。Afewpeopleareinterestedinthespringfoliageandthedevelopmentofthewildflowers——nearlyallenjoytheautumncolors——whilecomparativelyfewpaymuchattentiontothecomingandgoingofthebirds，thechangesintheirplumageandsongs，theapparentspringingintolifeonsomewarmAprildayofthechipmunksandwoodchucks，theskurryingofbabyrabbits，andagaininthefalltheequallysuddendisappearanceofsomeoftheanimalsandthegrowingshynessofothers。Tomeitisallasfascinatingasabook——moreso，sinceIhaveneverlostinterestinit。
Itissimpleandfrank，likeThoreau。Perhaps，hadsheexercisedit，therewasathirdgift——thegiftofwrittenthought。
ClemensremainedatStormfieldtendaysafterJeanwasgone。Theweatherwasfiercelycold，thelandscapedesolate，thehousefulloftragedy。
Hekeptprettycloselytohisroom，wherehehadmebringtheheapsofletters，afewofwhichheansweredpersonally；fortheothershepreparedasimplecardofacknowledgment。Hewasforthemostpartingentlemoodduringthesedays，thoughhewouldbreakoutnowandthen，andrageatthehardnessofafatethathadlaidanunearnedburdenofillnessonJeanandshadowedherlife。
Theyweredaysnotwhollywithouthumor——noneofhisdayscouldbealtogetherwithoutthat，thoughitwaslikelytobeofamelancholysort。
Manyofthelettersofferedorthodoxcomfort，saying，ineffect：\"Goddoesnotwillinglypunishus。\"
Whenhehadreadanumberofthesehesaid：
\"Well，whydoesHedoitthen？Wedon’tinviteit。WhydoesHegiveHimselfthetrouble？\"
Isuggestedthatitwasasentimentthatprobablygavecomforttothewriterofit。
\"Soitdoes，\"hesaid，\"andIamgladofit——gladofanythingthatgivescomforttoanybody。\"
HespokeofthelargerGod——theGodofthegreatunvaryinglaws，andbyandbydroppedofftosleep，quitepeacefully，andindeedpeacecamemoreandmoretohimeachdaywiththethoughtthatJeanandSusyandtheirmothercouldnotbetroubledanymore。ToMrs。Gabrilowitschhewrote：
REDDING，CONN，December29，1909。
O，Clara，Claradear，Iamsogladsheisoutofit&safe——safe！
Iamnotmelancholy；Ishallneverbemelancholyagain，Ithink。
Yousee，IwasinsuchdistresswhenIcametorealizethatyouweregonefaraway&noonestoodbetweenher&dangerbutme——&Icoulddieatanymoment，&then——ohthenwhatwouldbecomeofher！Forshewaswilful，youknow，&wouldnothavebeengovernable。
Youcan’timaginewhatadarlingshewasthatlasttwoorthreedays；&howfine，&good，&sweet，&noble——&joyful，thankHeaven！
——&howintellectuallybrilliant。IhadneverbeenacquaintedwithJeanbefore。Irecognizedthat。
ButImustn’ttrytowriteabouther——Ican’t。Ihavealreadypouredmyheartoutwiththepen，recordingthatlastdayortwo。
Iwillsendyouthat——&youmustletnoonebutOssipreadit。
Good—by。Iloveyouso！AndOssip。
FATHER。
CCXC
THERETURNTOBERMUDA
Idon’tthinkheattemptedanyfurtherwritingforprint。Hismindwasbusywithideas，buthewaswillingtotalk，ratherthantowrite，rathereventhantoplaybilliards，itseemed，althoughwehadafewquietgames——thelastweshouldeverplaytogether。Eveningsheaskedformusic，preferringtheScotchairs，suchas\"BonnieDoon\"and\"TheCampbellsareComing。\"Irememberthatonce，afterplayingthelatterforhim，hetold，withgreatfeeling，howtheHighlanders，ledbyGen。
ColinCampbell，hadchargedatLucknow，inspiredbythatstirringair。
WhenhehadretiredIusuallysatwithhim，andhedriftedintoliterature，ortheology，orscience，orhistory——thestoryoftheuniverseandman。
Oneeveninghespokeofthosewhohadwrittenbutoneimmortalthingandstoppedthere。Hementioned\"BenBolt。\"
\"Imetthatmanonce，\"hesaid。\"InmychildhoodIsang’SweetAlice，BenBolt，’andinmyoldage，fifteenyearsago，Imetthemanwhowroteit。HisnamewasBrown。——[ThomasDunnEnglish。Mr。ClemensapparentlyrememberedonlythenamesatiricallyconferreduponhimbyEdgarAllanPoe，\"ThomasDunnBrown。\"]——Hewasaged，forgotten，amerememory。I
rememberhowitthrilledmetorealizethatthiswastheveryauthorof’SweetAlice，BenBolt。’Hewasjustanaccident。Hehadavisionandechoedit。Agoodmanypersonsdothat——thethingtheydoistoputincompactformthethingwhichwehaveallvaguelyfelt。’TwentyYearsAgo’isjustlikeit’Ihavewanderedthroughthevillage，Tom，andsatbeneaththetree’——andHolmes’s’LastLeaf’isanother：thememoryofthehallowedpast，andthegravestonesofthosewelove。Itisallsobeautiful——thepastisalwaysbeautiful。\"
Hequoted，withgreatfeelingandeffect：
ThemassymarblesrestOnthelipsthatwehavepressedIntheirbloom，AndthenameswelovetohearHavebeencarvedformanyayearOnthetomb。
Hecontinuedinthisstrainforanhourormore。Hespokeofhumor，andthoughtitmustbeoneofthechiefattributesofGod。Hecitedplantsandanimalsthatweredistinctlyhumorousinformandintheircharacteristics。ThesehedeclaredwereGod’sjokes。
\"Why，\"hesaid，\"humorismankind’sgreatestblessing。\"
\"Yourowncaseisanexample，\"Ianswered。\"Withoutit，whateveryourreputationasaphilosopher，youcouldneverhavehadthewide—spreadaffectionthatisshownbythewritersofthatgreatheapofletters。\"
\"Yes，\"hesaid，gently，\"theyhavelikedtobeamused。\"
Ituckedhiminforthenight，promisingtosendhimtoBermuda，withClaudetotakecareofhim，ifhefelthecouldundertakethejourneyintwodaysmore。
Hewasable，andhewaseagertogo，forhelongedforthatsunnyisland，andforthequietpeaceoftheAllenhome。Hisniece，Mrs。Loomis，cameuptospendthelasteveninginStormfield，ahappyeveningfullofquiettalk，andnextmorning，intheoldclosedcarriagethathadbeenhiswedding—gift，hewasdriventotherailwaystation。ThiswasonJanuary4，1910。
Hewastosailnextday，andthatnight，atMr。Loomis’s，Howellscamein，andforanhourortwotheyreviewedsomeofthequestionstheyhadsolongagosettled，orleftforeverunsettled，andlaidaway。I
rememberthatatdinnerClemensspokeofhisoldHartfordbutler，George，andhowhehadoncebroughtGeorgetoNewYorkandintroducedhimatthevariouspublishinghousesashisfriend，withcuriousandsometimesratherembarrassingresults。
Thetalkdriftedtosociologyandtothelabor—unions，whichClemensdefendedasbeingtheonlymeansbywhichtheworkmancouldobtainrecognitionofhisrights。
Howellsinhisbookmentionsthisevening，whichhesays\"wasmadememorabletomebythekind，clear，judicialsensewithwhichheexplainedandjustifiedthelabor—unionsasthesolepresenthelpoftheweakagainstthestrong。\"
Theydiscusseddreams，andtheninalittlewhileHowellsrosetogo。I
wentalso，andaswewalkedtohisnear—byapartmenthespokeofMarkTwain’ssupremacy。Hesaid：
\"IturntohisbooksforcheerwhenIamdown—hearted。Therewasneveranybodylikehim；thereneverwillbe。\"
Clemenssailednextmorning。Theydidnotmeetagain。
CCXCI
LETTERSFROMBERMUDA
StormfieldwassolemnandemptywithoutMarkTwain；buthewrotebyeverysteamer，atfirstwithhisownhand，andduringthelastweekbythehandofoneofhisenlistedsecretaries——somememberoftheAllenfamilyusuallyHelen。Hisletterswerefullofbrightnessandpleasantry——
alwaysconcernedmoreorlesswithbusinessmatters，thoughhewasnolongerdisturbedbythem，forBermudawastoopeacefulandtoofaraway，and，besides，hehadfaithintheMarkTwainCompany’sabilitytolookafterhisaffairs。Icannotdobetter，Ibelieve，thantooffersomeportionsoftheselettershere。
HereachedBermudaonthe7thofJanuary，1910，andonthe12thhewrote：
AgainIamlivingtheideallife。Thereisnothingtomaritbutthebloody—mindedbanditArthur，——[AsmallplaymateofHelen’sofwhomClemenspretendedtobefiercelyjealous。OncehewroteamemorandumtoHelen：\"LetArthurreadthisbook。Thereisapageinitthatispoisoned。\"]——whostillfetchesandcarriesHelen。
Presentlyhewillbefounddrowned。ClaudecomestoBayHousetwiceadaytoseeifIneedanyservice。Heisinvaluable。TherewasamilitarylecturelastnightattheOfficers’MessProspect；asthelecturerhonoredmewithaspecialurgentinvitation，andsaidhewantedtolecturetomeparticularly，InaturallytookHelenandhermotherintotheprivatecarriageandwent。
AssoonaswelandedatthedoorwiththecrowdtheGovernorcametome&wasverycordial。I\"metup\"withthatcharmingColonelChapman[wehadknownhimonthepreviousvisit]andotherofficersoftheregiment&hadagoodtime。
Afewdayslaterhewrote：
Thanksforyourletter&foritscontentingnewsofthesituationinthatforeign&far—off&vaguelyrememberedcountrywhereyou&
Loomis&Larkandotherbelovedfriendsare。
IhadaletterfromClarathismorning。Sheissolicitous&wantsmewell&watchfullytakencareof。My，my，sheoughttoseeHelen&herparents&Claudeadministerthattrust。Alsoshesays，\"I
hopetohearfromyouorMr。Paineverysoon。\"
Iamwritingher&Iknowyouwillrespondtoyourpartofherprayer。SheisprettydesolatenowafterJean’semancipation——theonlykindnessthatGodeverdidthatpoor，unoffendingchildinallherhardlife。
SendClaraacopyofHowells’sgorgeousletter。
The\"gorgeousletter\"mentionedwasanappreciationofhisrecentBazararticle，\"TheTurning—PointinMyLife，\"andherefollows：
January18，1910。
DEARCLEMENS，——WhileyourwonderfulwordsarewarminmymindyetI
wanttotellyouwhatyouknowalready：thatyouneverwroteanythinggreater，finer，thanthatturning—pointpaperofyours。
Ishallfeelithonorenoughiftheyputonmytombstone\"HewasborninthesamecenturyandgeneralsectionofMiddleWesterncountrywithDr。S。L。Clemens，Oxon。，andhadhisdegreethreeyearsbeforehimthroughamistakeoftheUniversity。\"
Ihopeyouareworse。Youwillneverberiperforapurelyintellectuallife，anditisapitytohaveyoulaggingalongwithaworn—outmaterialbodyontopofyoursoul。
Yoursever，W。D。HOWELLS。
OnthemarginofthisletterClemenshadwritten：
Ireckonthisspontaneousoutburstfromthefirstcriticofthedayisgoodtokeep，ain’tit，Paine？
January24thhewroteagainofhiscontentment：
Lifecontinuesherethesameasusual。Thereisn’tafaultinit—
goodtimes，goodhome，tranquilcontentmentallday&everydaywithoutabreak。Iknowfamiliarlyseveralverysatisfactorypeople&meetthemfrequently：Mr。Hamilton，theSloanes，Mr。&Mrs。Fells，MissWaterman，&soon。Ishouldn’tknowhowtogoaboutbetteringmysituation。
OnFebruary5thhewrotethattheclimateandconditionofhishealthmightrequirehimtostayinBermudaprettycontinuously，butthathewishedStormfieldkeptopensothathemightcometoitatanytime。Andheadded：
YesterdayMr。AllentookusonanexcursioninMr。Hamilton’sbigmotor—boat。Present：Mrs。Allen，Mr。&Mrs。&MissSloane，Helen，MildredHowells，Claude，&me。Severalhours’swiftskimmingoverravishingblueseas，abrilliantsun；alsoacoupleofhoursofpicnicking&lazyingunderthecedarsinasecludedplace。
TheOrotavaisarrivingwitha6opassengers—Ishallgetlettersbyher，nodoubt。
P。S。—PleasesendmetheStandardUnabridgedthatisonthetableinmybedroom。Ihavenodictionaryhere。
Thereisnomentioninanyoftheselettersofhistrouble；buthewashavingoccasionalspasmsofpain，thoughinthatsoftclimatetheywouldseemtohavecomewithlessfrequency，andtherewassolittletodisturbhim，andmuchthatcontributedtohispeace。AmongthecallersattheBayHousetoseehimwasWoodrowWilson，andthetwoputinsomepleasanthoursatminiaturegolf，\"putting\"ontheAllenlawn。Ofcourseacatastrophewouldcomealongnowandthen——suchthingscouldnotalwaysbeguardedagainst。InalettertowardtheendofFebruaryhewrote：
Itis2。30inthemorning&IamwritingbecauseIcan’tsleep。
Ican’tsleepbecauseaprofessionalpianistiscomingto—morrowafternoontoplayforme。MyGod！Iwouldn’tallowPaderewskiorGabrilowitschtodothat。Iwouldratherhavealegamputated。
Iknewhewascoming，butIneverdreameditwastoplayforme。
WhenIheardthehorriblenews4hoursago，bed———difIdidn’tcomenearscreaming。Imeanttoslipoutandbeabsent，butnowI
can’t。Don’tprayforme。Thethingisjustasd———dbadasitcanbealready。
Clemens’sloveformusicdidnotincludethepiano，exceptforverygentlemelodies，andheprobablydidnotanticipatethesefromaprofessionalplayer。Hedidnotreportthesequelofthematter；butitislikelythathisimaginationhaddiscounteditstortures。Sometimeshisletterswerepurenonsense。Oncehesentasheet，ononesideofwhichwaswritten：
BAYHOUSE，Marchs，1910。
ReceivedofS。L。C。
TwoDollarsandFortyCentsinreturnformypromisetobelieveeverythinghesayshereafter。
HELENS。ALLEN。
andonthereverse：
FORSALE
TheproprietorofthehereinbeforementionedPromisedesirestopartwithitonaccountofillhealthandobligedtogoawaysomewheressoastoletitrecipricate，andwilltakeanyreasonableamountforitabove2percentofitsfacebecauseexperiencedpartiesthinkitwillnotkeepbutonlyalittlewhileinthiskindofweather&isakindofproppitythatdon’tgiveacussforcoldstoragenohow。
Clearly，howeverseriousMarkTwainregardedhisphysicalcondition，hedidnotallowittomakehimgloomy。Hewrotethatmattersweregoingeverywheretohissatisfaction；thatClarawashappy；thathishouseholdandbusinessaffairsnolongertroubledhim；thathispersonalsurroundingswereofthepleasantestsort。Sometimeshewroteofwhathewasreading，andoncespokeparticularlyofProf。WilliamLyonPhelps’sLiteraryEssays，whichhesaidhehadbeenunabletolaydownuntilhehadfinishedthebook。——[ToPhelpshimselfhewrote：\"Ithankyoueversomuchforthebook，whichIfindcharming——socharming，indeed，thatI
readitthroughinasinglenight，&didnotregretthelostnight’ssleep。IamgladifIdeservewhatyouhavesaidaboutme；&evenifI
don’tIamproud&wellcontented，sinceyouthinkIdeserveit。\"]
Sohisdaysseemedfullofcomfort。ButinMarchInoticedthathegenerallydictatedhisletters，andoncewhenhesentsomesmallphotographsIthoughthelookedthinnerandolder。Stillhekeptuphismerriment。Inoneletterhesaid：
WhilethematterisinmymindIwillremarkthatifyoueversendmeanotherletterwhichisnotpagedatthetopIwillwriteyouwithmyownhand，sothatImayusewithutterfreedom&withoutembarrassmentthekindofwordswhichalonecandescribesuchacriminal，towit，————；youwillhavetoputintowordsthosedashesbecauseproprietywillnotallowmetodoitmyselfinmysecretary’shearing。Youareforgiven，butdon’tletitoccuragain。
Hehadstillmadenomentionofhisillness；butonthe25thofMarchhewrotesomethingofhisplansforcominghome。HehadengagedpassageontheBermudianforApril23d，hesaid；andheadded：
Butdon’ttellanybody。Idon’twantitknown。Imayhavetogosoonerifthepaininmybreastdoesnotmenditswaysprettyconsiderable。Idon’twanttodiehere，forthisisanunkindplaceforapersoninthatcondition。Ishouldhavetolieintheundertaker’scellaruntiltheshipwouldremoveme&itisdarkdownthere&unpleasant。
TheCollierswillmeetmeonthepier，&Imaystaywiththemaweekortwobeforegoinghome。Italldependsonthebreastpain。I
don’twanttodiethere。Iamgrowingmoreandmoreparticularabouttheplace。
Butinthesameletterhespokeofplansforthesummer，suggestingthatwemustlookintothemagic—lanternpossibilities，sothatlibraryentertainmentscouldbegivenatStormfield。Iconfessthatthisletter，inspiteofitslighttone，mademeuneasy，andIwastemptedtosailforBermudatobringhimhome。Threedayslaterhewroteagain：
Ihavebeenhavingamostuncomfortabletimeforthepastfourdayswiththatbreastpain，whichturnsouttobeanaffectionoftheheart，justasIoriginallysuspected。ThenewsfromNewYorkistotheeffectthatnon—bronchialweatherhasarrivedthereatlast；
therefore，ifIcangetmybreasttroubleintravelingconditionI
maysailforhomeaweekortwoearlierthanhasbeenproposed。
ThesamemailthatbroughtthisbroughtaletterfromMr。Allen，whofranklystatedthatmattershadbecomeveryseriousindeed。Mr。Clemenshadhadsomedangerousattacks，andthephysiciansconsideredhisconditioncritical。
TheselettersarrivedApril1st。IwenttoNewYorkatonceandsailednextmorning。BeforesailingIconsultedwithDr。Quintard，whoprovidedmewithsomeopiatesandinstructedmeintheuseofthehypodermicneedle。HealsojoinedmeinacablegramtotheGabrilowitsches，theninItaly，advisingthemtosailwithoutdelay。
CCXCII
THEVOYAGEHOME
IsentnowordtoBermudathatIwascoming，andwhenonthesecondmorningIarrivedatHamilton，IsteppedquicklyashorefromthetenderandhurriedtoBayHouse。Thedoorswereallopen，astheyusuallyareinthatsummerisland，andnoonewasvisible。Iwasfamiliarwiththeplace，and，withoutknocking，IwentthroughtotheroomoccupiedbyMarkTwain。AsIenteredIsawthathewasalone，sittinginalargechair，cladinthefamiliardressing—gown。
BayHousestandsuponthewater，andthemorninglight，reflectedinatthewindow，hadanunusualquality。Hewasnotyetshaven，andheseemedunnaturallypaleandgray；certainlyhewasmuchthinner。Iwastoostartled，forthemoment，tosayanything。Whenheturnedandsawmeheseemedalittledazed。
\"Why，\"hesaid，holdingouthishand，\"youdidn’ttellusyouwerecoming。\"
\"No，\"Isaid，\"itisrathersudden。Ididn’tquitelikethesoundofyourlastletters。\"
\"Butthosewerenotserious，\"heprotested。\"Youshouldn’thavecomeonmyaccount。\"
IsaidthenthatIhadcomeonmyownaccount；thatIhadfelttheneedofrecreation，andhaddecidedtorundownandcomehomewithhim。
\"That’s——very——good，\"hesaid，inhisslow，gentlefashion。\"NowI’mgladtoseeyou。\"
Hisbreakfastcameinandheatewithanappetite。
Whenhehadbeenshavedandfreshlyproppedtipinhispillowsitseemedtome，afterall，thatImusthavebeenmistakeninthinkinghimsochanged。Certainlyhewasthinner，buthiscolorwasfine，hiseyeswerebright；hehadnoappearanceofamanwhoselifewasbelievedtobeindanger。Hetoldmethenofthefierceattackshehadgonethrough，howthepainshadtornathim，andhowithadbeennecessaryforhimtohavehypodermicinjections，whichheamusinglytermed\"hypnoticinjunctions\"
and\"subcutaneousapplications，\"andhehadhishumoroutofit，asofcoursehemusthave，eventhoughDeathshouldstandthereinperson。
FromMr。andMrs。AllenandfromthephysicianIlearnedhowslenderhadbeenhischancesandhowuncertainwerethedaysahead。Mr。AllenhadalreadyengagedpassageontheOceanaforthe12th，andtheonepurposenowwastogethimphysicallyinconditionforthetrip。
Howdevotedthosekindfriendshadbeentohim！Theyhaddevisedeveryimaginablethingforhiscomfort。Mr。Allenhadriggedanelectricbellwhichconnectedwithhisownroom，sothathecouldbearousedinstantlyatanyhourofthenight。Clemenshadrefusedtohaveanurse，foritwasonlyduringtheperiodofhisextremesufferingthatheneededanyone，andhedidnotwishtohaveanursealwaysaround。Whenthepainsweregonehewasasbrightandcheerful，and，seemingly，aswellasever。
Ontheafternoonofmyarrivalwedroveout，asformerly，andhediscussedsomeoftheoldsubjectsinquitetheoldway。HehadbeenrereadingMacaulay，hesaid，andspokeatconsiderablelengthofthehypocrisyandintrigueoftheEnglishcourtunderJamesII。Hespoke，too，oftheReddingLibrary。IhadsoldforhimthatportionofthelandwhereJean’sfarm—househadstood，anditwasinhismindtousethemoneyforsomesortofamemorialtoJean。Ihadwritten，suggestingthatperhapshewouldliketoputupasmalllibrarybuilding，astheAdamslotfacedthecornerwhereJeanhadpassedeverydaywhensherodetothestationforthemail。Hehadbeenthinkingthisover，hesaid，andwishedtheideacarriedout。Heaskedmetowriteatoncetohislawyer，Mr。Lark，andhaveapaperpreparedappointingtrusteesforamemoriallibraryfund。
Thepaindidnottroublehimthatafternoon，norduringseveralsucceedingdays。Hewasgayandquitehimself，andheoftenwentoutonthelawn；butwedidnotdriveoutagain。Forthemostpart，hesatproppedupinhisbed，readingorsmoking，ortalkingintheoldway；andasIlookedathimheseemedsofullofvigorandthejoyoflifethatI
couldnotconvincemyselfthathewouldnotoutliveusall。Ifoundthathehadbeenreallyverymuchaliveduringthosethreemonths——toomuchforhisowngood，sometimes——forhehadnotbeencarefulofhishoursorhisdiet，andhadsufferedinconsequence。
Hehadnotbeenwriting，thoughhehadscribbledsomeplayfulvalentinesandhehadamusedhimselfonedaybypreparingachapterofadvice——formeitappeared——which，afterreadingitaloudtotheAllensandreceivingtheirapproval，hedeclaredheintendedtohaveprintedformybenefit。
Asitwouldseemtohavebeenthelastbitofcontinuedwritingheeverdid，andbecauseitischaracteristicandamusing，afewparagraphsmaybeadmitted。The\"advice\"isconcerningdeportmentonreachingtheGatewhichSt。Peterissupposedtoguard——
UponarrivaldonotspeaktoSt。Peteruntilspokento。Itisnotyourplacetobegin。
Donotbeginanyremarkwith\"Say。\"
Whenapplyingforaticketavoidtryingtomakeconversation。Ifyoumusttalklettheweatheralone。St。Petercaresnotadamnfortheweather。Anddon’taskhimwhattimethe4。30traingoes；therearen’tanytrainsinheaven，exceptthroughtrains，andthelessinformationyougetaboutthemthebetterforyou。
Youcanaskhimforhisautograph——thereisnoharminthat——butbecarefulanddon’tremarkthatitisoneofthepenaltiesofgreatness。Hehasheardthatbefore。
Don’ttrytokodakhim。Hellisfullofpeoplewhohavemadethatmistake。
Leaveyourdogoutside。Heavengoesbyfavor。Ifitwentbymerityouwouldstayoutandthedogwouldgoin。
Youwillbewantingtoslipdownatnightandsmugglewatertothosepoorlittlechapstheinfantdamned，butdon’tyoutryit。Youwouldbecaught，andnobodyinheavenwouldrespectyouafterthat。
ExplaintoHelenwhyIdon’tcome。Ifyoucan。
Therewereseveralpagesofthiscounsel。Oneparagraphwaswritteninshorthand。Imeanttoaskhimtotranslateit；butthereweremanyotherthingstothinkof，andIdidnotremember。
Ispentmostofeachdaywithhim，merelysittingbythebedandreadingwhilehehimselfreadordozed。Hisnightswerewakeful——hefounditeasiertosleepbyday——andhelikedtothinkthatsomeonewasthere。
HebecameinterestedinHardy’sJude，andspokeofitwithhighapproval，urgingmetoreadit。Hedweltagooddealonthemoralsofit，orratheronthelackofthem。Hefollowedthetaletotheend，finishingittheafternoonbeforewesailed。Itwashislastcontinuousreading。
Inoticed，whenheslept，thathisbreathingwasdifficult，andIcouldseefromdaytodaythathedidnotimprove；buteacheveninghewouldbegayandlively，andhelikedtheentirefamilytogatheraround，whilehebecamereallyhilariousoverthevarioushappeningsoftheday。
Itwasonlyafewdaysbeforewesailedthattheverysevereattacksreturned。Thenightofthe8thwasahardone。Thedoctorsweresummoned，anditwasonlyafterrepeatedinjectionsofmorphinethatthepainhadbeeneased。WhenIreturnedintheearlymorninghewassittinginhischairtryingtosing，afterhisoldmorninghabit。Hetookmyhandandsaid：
\"Well，Ihadapicturesquenight。EverypainIhadwasonexhibition。\"
Helookedoutthewindowatthesunlightonthebayandgreendottedislands。\"’Sparklingandbrightintheliquidlight，’\"hequoted。
\"That’sHoffman。AnythingleftofHoffman？\"
\"No，\"Isaid。
\"ImustwatchfortheBermudianandseeifshesalutes，\"hesaid，presently。\"ThecaptainknowsIamheresick，andheblowstwoshortwhistlesjustastheycomeupbehindthatlittleisland。Thoseareforme。\"
Hesaidhecouldbreatheeasierifhecouldleanforward，andIplacedacard—tableinfrontofhim。Hisbreakfastcamein，andalittlelaterhebecamequitegay。HedriftedtoMacaulayagain，andspokeofKingJames’splottoassassinateWilliamII。，andhowtheclergyhadbroughtthemselvestoseethattherewasnodifferencebetweenkillingakinginbattleandbyassassination。HehadtakenhisseatbythewindowtowatchfortheBermudian。Shecamedownthebaypresently，herbrightredstackstoweringvividlyabovethegreenisland。Itwasabrilliantmorning，theskyandthewateramarvelousblue。Hewatchedheranxiouslyandwithoutspeaking。Suddenlythereweretwowhitepuffsofsteam，andtwoshort，hoarsenoteswentupfromher。
\"Thoseareforme，\"hesaid，hisfacefullofcontentment。\"CaptainFraserdoesnotforgetme。\"
Therefollowedanotherbadnight。Myroomwasonlyalittledistanceaway，andClaudecameforme。Idonotthinkanyofusthoughthewouldsurviveit；buthesleptatlast，oratleastdozed。Inthemorninghesaid：
\"Thatbreastpainstandswatchallnightandtheshortbreathallday。
Iamlosingenoughsleeptosupplyaworn—outarmy。Iwantajugfulofthathypnoticinjunctioneverynightandeverymorning。\"
Webegantofearnowthathewouldnotbeabletosailonthe12th；butbygreatgood—fortunehehadwonderfullyimprovedbythe12th，somuchsothatIbegantobelieve，ifoncehecouldbeinStormfield，wheretheairwasmorevigorous，hemighteasilysurvivethesummer。Thehumidatmosphereoftheseasonincreasedthedifficultyofhisbreathing。
Thateveninghewasunusuallymerry。Mr。andMrs。AllenandHelenandmyselfwentintowishhimgoodnight。Hewasloathtoletusleave，butwasremindedthathewouldsailinthemorning，andthatthedoctorhadinsistedthathemustbequietandliestillinbedandrest。Hewasneveronetobeveryobedient。AlittlelaterMrs。AllenandI，inthesitting—room，heardsomeonewalkingsoftlyoutsideontheveranda。Wewentoutthere，andhewasmarchingupanddowninhisdressing—gownasunconcernedasifhewerenotaninvalidatall。Hehadn’tfeltsleepy，hesaid，andthoughtalittleexercisewoulddohimgood。Perhapsitdid，forhesleptsoundlythatnight——agreatblessing。
Mr。AllenhadcharteredaspecialtugtocometoBayHouselandinginthemorningandtakehimtotheship。Hewascarriedinalittlehand—chairtothetug，andallthewayoutheseemedlight—spirited，anythingbutaninvalid：Thesailorscarriedhimagaininthechairtohisstate—room，andhebadethosedearBermudafriendsgood—by，andwesailedaway。
AslongasIrememberanythingIshallremembertheforty—eighthoursofthathomewardvoyage。Itwasabrieftwodaysastimeismeasured；butastimeislivedithastakenitsplaceamongthoseunmeasuredperiodsbythesideofwhichevenyearsdonotcount。
Atfirstheseemedquitehisnaturalself，andaskedforacatalogueoftheship’slibrary，andselectedsomememoirsoftheCountessofCardiganforhisreading。HeaskedalsoforthesecondvolumeofCarlyle’sFrenchRevolution，whichhehadwithhim。Butweranimmediatelyintothemorehumid，moreoppressiveairoftheGulfStream，andhisbreathingbecameatfirstdifficult，thennexttoimpossible。Thereweretwolargeport—
holes，whichIopened；butpresentlyhesuggestedthatitwouldbebetteroutside。Itwasonlyasteptothemain—deck，andnopassengerswerethere。Ihadasteamer—chairbrought，andwithClaudesupportedhimtoitandbundledhimwithrugs；butithadgrowndampandchilly，andhisbreathingdidnotimprove。Itseemedtomethattheendmightcomeatanymoment，andthisthoughtwasinhismind，too，foronceintheeffortforbreathhemanagedtosay：
\"Iamgoing——Ishallbegoneinamoment。\"
Breathcame；butIrealizedthenthatevenhiscabinwasbetterthanthis。Isteadiedhimbacktohisberthandshutoutmostofthatdeadlydampness。Heaskedforthe\"hypnotic’injunction\"forhishumorneverlefthim，andthoughitwasnotyetthehourprescribedIcouldnotdenyit。Itwasimpossibleforhimtoliedown，eventorecline，withoutgreatdistress。Theopiatemadehimdrowsy，andhelongedforthereliefofsleep；butwhenitseemedabouttopossesshimthestruggleforairwouldbringhimupright。
Duringthemorecomfortablemomentshespokequiteintheoldway，andtimeandagainmadeanefforttoread，andreachedforhispipeoracigarwhichlayinthelittleberthhammockathisside。Iheldthematch，andhewouldtakeapuffortwowithsatisfaction。Thenthepeaceofitwouldbringdrowsiness，andwhileIsupportedhimtherewouldcomeafewmoments，perhaps，ofprecioussleep。Onlyafewmoments，forthedevilofsuffocationwasalwayslyinginwaittobringhimbackforfreshtortures。Overandoveragainthiswasrepeated，variedbyhimbeingsteadiedonhisfeetorsittingonthecouchoppositetheberth。Inspiteofhissuffering，twodominantcharacteristicsremained——thesenseofhumor，andtenderconsiderationforanother。
Oncewhentheshiprolledandhishatfellfromthehook，andmadethecircuitofthecabinfloor，hesaid：
\"Theshipispassingthehat。\"
Againhesaid：
\"Iamsorryforyou，Paine，butIcan’thelpit——Ican’thurrythisdyingbusiness。Can’tyougivemeenoughofthehypnoticinjunctiontoputanendtome？\"
HethoughtifIcouldarrangethepillowssohecouldsitstraightupitwouldnotbenecessarytosupporthim，andthenIcouldsitonthecouchandreadwhilehetriedtodoze。HewantedmetoreadJude，hesaid，sowecouldtalkaboutit。IgotallthepillowsIcouldandbuiltthemuparoundhim，andsatdownwiththebook，andthisseemedtogivehimcontentment。Hewoulddozeoffalittleandthencomeupwithastart，hispiercing，agateeyessearchingmeouttoseeifIwasstillthere。
Overandover——twentytimesinanhour——thiswasrepeated。WhenIcoulddenyhimnolongerIadministeredtheopiate，butitnevercompletelypossessedhimorgavehimentirerelief。
AsIlookedathimthere，soreducedinhisestate，Icouldnotbutrememberallthelaborofhisyears，andallthesplendidhonorwhichtheworldhadpaidtohim。Somethingofthismayhaveenteredhismind，too，foronce，whenIofferedhimsomeofthemilderremedieswhichwehadbrought，hesaid：
\"AfterfortyyearsofpubliceffortIhavebecomejustatargetformedicines。\"
Theprogramofchangefromberthtothefloor，fromfloortothecouch，fromthecouchbacktotheberthamongthepillows，wasrepeatedagainandagain，healwaysthinkingofthetroublehemightbemaking，rarelyutteringanycomplaint；butoncehesaid：
\"IneverguessedthatIwasnotgoingtooutliveJohnBigelow。\"Andagain：
\"Thisissuchamysteriousdisease。Ifweonlyhadabillofparticularswe’dhavesomethingtoswearat。\"
TimeandagainhepickedupCarlyleortheCardiganMemoirs，andread，orseemedtoread，afewlines；butthenthedrowsinesswouldcomeandthebookwouldfall。Timeandagainheattemptedtosmoke，orinhisdrowsesimulatedthemotionofplacingacigartohislipsandpuffingintheoldway。
Twodreamsbesethiminhismomentaryslumber——oneofaplayinwhichthetitle—roleofthegeneralmanagerwasalwaysunfilled。Hespokeofthisnowandthenwhenithadpassed，anditseemedtoamusehim。Theotherwasadiscomfort：acollegeassemblywasattemptingtoconferuponhimsomedegreewhichhedidnotwant。Once，halfroused，helookedatmesearchinglyandasked：
\"Isn’ttheresomethingIcanresignandbeoutofallthis？TheykeeptryingtoconferthatdegreeuponmeandIdon’twantit。\"Thenrealizing，hesaid：\"Iamlikeabirdinacage：alwaysexpectingtogetout，andalwaysbeatenbackbythewires。\"And，somewhatlater：\"Oh，itissuchamystery，andittakessolong。\"
Towardtheeveningofthefirstday，whenitgrewdarkoutside，heasked：
\"Howlonghavewebeenonthisvoyage？\"
Iansweredthatthiswastheendofthefirstday。
\"Howmanymorearethere？\"heasked。
\"Onlyone，andtwonights。\"
\"We’llnevermakeit，\"hesaid。\"It’saneternity。\"
\"ButwemustonClara’saccount，\"Itoldhim，andIestimatedthatClarawouldbemorethanhalf—wayacrosstheoceanbynow。
\"Itisalosingrace，\"hesaid；\"noshipcanoutsaildeath。\"
Ithasbeenwritten——Idonotknowwithwhatproof——thatcertaingreatdissentershaverecantedwiththeapproachofdeath——havebecomeweak，andafraidtoignoreoldtraditionsinthefaceofthegreatmystery。
IwishtowriteherethatMarkTwain，ashenearedtheend，showedneverasingletremoroffearorevenofreluctance。Ihavedweltuponthesehourswhensufferingwasuponhim，anddeaththeimminentshadow，inordertoshowthatattheendhewasashehadalwaysbeen，neithermorenorless，andneverlessthanbrave。
Once，duringamomentwhenhewascomfortableandquitehimself，hesaid，earnestly：
\"WhenIseemtobedyingIdon’twanttobestimulatedbacktolife。I
wanttobemadecomfortabletogo。
Therewasnotavestigeofhesitation；therewasnograspingatstraws，nosuggestionofdread。
Somehowthosetwodaysandnightswentby。Once，whenhewaspartiallyrelievedbytheopiate，Islept，whileClaudewatched；andagain，inthefadingendofthelastnight，whenwehadpassedatlengthintothecold，bracingnorthernair，andbreathhadcomebacktohim，andwithitsleep。
Relatives，physicians，andnews—gathererswereatthedocktowelcomehim。Hewasawake，andthenorthernairhadbrightenedhim，thoughitwasthechill，Isuppose，thatbroughtonthepainsinhisbreast，which，fortunately，hehadescapedduringthevoyage。Itwasnotaprolongedattack，anditwas，blessedly，thelastone。
Aninvalid—carriagehadbeenprovided，andacompartmentsecuredontheafternoonexpresstoRedding——thesametrainthathadtakenhimtheretwoyearsbefore。Dr。RobertH。HalseyandDr。EdwardQuintardattendedhim，andhemadethejourneyreallyincheerfulcomfort，forhecouldbreathenow，andinthereliefcamebackoldinterests。Halfrecliningonthecouch，helookedthroughtheafternoonpapers。IthappenedcuriouslythatCharlesHarveyGenung，who，somethingmorethanfouryearsearlier，hadbeensolargelyresponsibleformyassociationwithMarkTwain，wasonthesametrain，inthesamecoach，boundforhiscountry—placeatNewHartford。
Lounsburywaswaitingwiththecarriage，andonthatstill，sweetAprileveningwedrovehimtoStormfieldmuchaswehaddrivenhimtwoyearsbefore。Nowandthenhementionedtheapparentbackwardnessoftheseason，foronlyafewofthetreeswerebeginningtoshowtheirgreen。
AswedroveintothelanethatledtotheStormfieldentrance，hesaid：
\"Canweseewhereyouhavebuiltyourbilliard—room？\"
Thegableshowedabovethetrees，andIpointeditouttohim。
\"Itlooksquiteimposing，\"hesaid。
Ithinkitwasthelastoutsideinterestheevershowedinanything。
Hehadbeencarriedfromtheshipandfromthetrain，butwhenwedrewuptoStormfield，whereMrs。Paine，withKatieLearyandothersofthehousehold，waswaitingtogreethim，hesteppedfromthecarriagealonewithsomethingofhisoldlightness，andwithallhisoldcourtliness，andofferedeachonehishand。Then，inthecanvaschairwhichwehadbrought，ClaudeandIcarriedhimup—stairstohisroomanddeliveredhimtothephysicians，andtothecomfortsandblessedairofhome。ThiswasThursdayevening，April14，1910。
CCXCIII
THERETURNTOTHEINVISIBLE
TherewouldbetwodaysmorebeforeOssipandClaraGabrilowitschcouldarrive。Clemensremainedfairlybrightandcomfortableduringthisinterval，thoughheclearlywasnotimproving。Thephysiciansdeniedhimthemorphine，now，ashenolongersufferedacutely。Buthecravedit，andonce，whenIwentin，hesaid，rathermournfully：
\"Theywon’tgivemethesubcutaneousanymore。\"
ItwasSundaymorningwhenClaracame。Hewascheerfulandabletotalkquitefreely。Hedidnotdwelluponhiscondition，Ithink，butspokeratherofhisplansforthesummer。Atallevents，hedidnotthensuggestthathecountedtheendsonear；butadaylateritbecameevidenttoallthathisstaywasverybrief。Hisbreathingwasbecomingheavier，thoughitseemednottogivehimmuchdiscomfort。Hisarticulationalsobecameaffected。IthinkthelastcontinuoustalkinghedidwastoDr。HalseyontheeveningofApril17th——thedayofClara’sarrival。Amildopiatehadbeenadministered，andhesaidhewishedtotalkhimselftosleep。Herecalledoneofhisoldsubjects，DualPersonality，anddiscussedvariousinstancesthatflittedthroughhismind——JekyllandHydephasesinliteratureandfact。Hebecamedrowsierashetalked。Hesaidatlast：
\"Thisisapeculiarkindofdisease。Itdoesnotinviteyoutoread；itdoesnotinviteyoutobereadto；itdoesnotinviteyoutotalk，nortoenjoyanyoftheusualsick—roommethodsoftreatment。Whatkindofadiseaseisthat？Somekindsofsicknesseshavepleasantfeaturesaboutthem。Youcanreadandsmokeandhaveonlytoliestill。\"
Andalittlelaterheadded：
\"Itissingular，verysingular，thelawsofmentality——vacuity。IputoutmyhandtoreachabookornewspaperwhichIhavebeenreadingmostglibly，anditisn’tthere，notasuggestionofit。\"
Hecoughedviolently，andafterwardcommented：
\"Ifonegetstomeddlingwithacoughitverysoongetstheupperhandandismeddlingwithyou。Thatismyopinion——ofseventy—fouryears’
growth。\"
Thenewsofhiscondition，everywherepublished，broughtgreatheapsofletters，buthecouldnotseethem。Afewmessageswerereportedtohim。
Atintervalshereadalittle。SuetoniusandCarlylelayonthebedbesidehim，andhewouldpickthemupasthespiritmovedhimandreadaparagraphorapage。Sometimes，whenIsawhimthus—thehighcolorstillinhisface，andtheclearlightinhiseyes——Isaid：\"Itisnotreality。
Heisnotgoingtodie。\"OnTuesday，the19th，heaskedmetotellClaratocomeandsingtohim。Itwasaheavyrequirement，butshesomehowfoundstrengthtosingsomeoftheScotchairswhichheloved，andheseemedsoothedandcomforted。Whenshecameawayhebadehergood—by，sayingthathemightnotseeheragain。
Buthelingeredthroughthenextdayandthenext。HismindwaswanderingalittleonWednesday，andhisspeechbecamelessandlessarticulate；buttherewereintervalswhenhewasquiteclear，quitevigorous，andheapparentlysufferedlittle。Wedidnotknowit，then，butthemysteriousmessengerofhisbirth—year，solonganticipatedbyhim，appearedthatnightinthesky。——[TheperihelionofHalley’sCometfor1835wasNovember16th；for1910itwasApril20th。]
OnThursdaymorning，the21st，hismindwasgenerallyclear，anditwassaidbythenursesthathereadalittlefromoneofthevolumesonhisbed，fromtheSuetonius，orfromoneofthevolumesofCarlyle。EarlyintheforenoonhesentwordbyClarathathewishedtoseeme，andwhenI
cameinhespokeoftwounfinishedmanuscriptswhichhewishedmeto\"throwaway，\"ashebrieflyexpressedit，forhehadnotmanywordsleftnow。IassuredhimthatIwouldtakecareofthem，andhepressedmyhand。Itwashislastwordtome。
Onceortwicethatmorninghetriedtowritesomerequestwhichhecouldnotputintointelligiblewords。
AndoncehespoketoGabrilowitsch，who，hesaid，couldunderstandhimbetterthantheothers。Mostofthetimehedozed。
Somewhataftermidday，whenClarawasbyhim，herousedupandtookherhand，andseemedtospeakwithlesseffort。
\"Good—by，\"hesaid，andDr。Quintard，whowasstandingnear，thoughtheadded：\"Ifwemeet\"——butthewordswereveryfaint。Helookedatherforalittlewhile，withoutspeaking，thenhesankintoadoze，andfromitpassedintoadeeperslumber，anddidnotheedusanymore。
Throughthatpeacefulspringafternoonthelife—waveebbedlowerandlower。Itwasabouthalfpastsix，andthesunlayjustonthehorizonwhenDr。Quintardnoticedthatthebreathing，whichhadgraduallybecomemoresubdued，brokealittle。Therewasnosuggestionofanystruggle。
Thenobleheadturnedalittletooneside，therewasaflutteringsigh，andthebreaththathadbeenunceasingthroughseventy—fourtumultuousyearshadstoppedforever。
Hehadenteredintotheestateenviedsolong。Inhisownwords——thewordsofoneofhislatestmemoranda：
\"Hehadarrivedatthedignityofdeath——theonlyearthlydignitythatisnotartificial——theonlysafeone。Theothersaretrapsthatcanbeguiletohumiliation。
\"Death——theonlyimmortalwhotreatsusallalike，whosepityandwhosepeaceandwhoserefugeareforall——thesoiledandthepure——therichandthepoor——thelovedandtheunloved。\"
CCXCIV
THELASTRITES
Itisnotoftenthatawholeworldmourns。Nationshaveoftenmournedahero——andraces——butperhapsneverbeforehadtheentireworldreallyunitedintendersorrowforthedeathofanyman。
Inoneofhisaphorismshewrote：\"Letusendeavorsotolivethatwhenwecometodieeventheundertakerwillbesorry。\"AnditwasthusthatMarkTwainhimselfhadlived。
Nomanhadeversoreachedtheheartoftheworld，andonemaynotevenattempttoexplainjustwhy。Letusonlysaythatitwasbecausehewassolimitlesslyhumanthateveryotherhumanheart，inwhateversphereorcircumstance，respondedtohistouch。Fromeveryremotecorneroftheglobethecablesofcondolencesweptin；everyprintedsheetinChristendomwasfilledwithlavishtribute；pulpitsforgothisheresiesandpaidhimhonor。Nokingeverdiedthatreceivedsorichahomageashis。Toquoteortoindividualizewouldbetocheapenthisvastoffering。
WetookhimtoNewYorktotheBrickChurch，andDr。HenryvanDykespokeonlyafewsimplewords，andJosephTwichellcamefromHartfordanddeliveredbrokenlyaprayerfromaheartwrungwithdoublegrief，forHarmony，hiswife，wasnearingthejourney’send，andatelegramthatsummonedhimtoherdeath—bedcamebeforetheservicesended。
MarkTwain，dressedinthewhitehelovedsowell，laytherewiththenobilityofdeathuponhim，whileamultitudeofthosewholovedhimpassedbyandlookedathisfaceforthelasttime。Theflowers，ofwhichsomanyhadbeensent，werebankedaroundhim；butonthecasketitselflayasinglelaurelwreathwhichDanBeardandhiswifehadwovenfromthelaurelwhichgrowsonStormfieldhill。Hewasnevermorebeautifulthanashelaythere，anditwasanimpressivescenetoseethosethousandsfileby，regardhimforamomentgravely，thoughtfully，andpasson。Allsortswerethere，richandpoor；somecrossedthemselves，somesaluted，somepausedalittletotakeacloserlook；butnooneofferedeventopickaflower。Howellscame，andinhisbookhesays：
IlookedamomentatthefaceIknewsowell；anditwaspatientwiththepatienceIhadsooftenseeninit：somethingofapuzzle，agreatsilentdignity，anassenttowhatmustbefromthedepthsofanaturewhosetragicalseriousnessbrokeinthelaughterwhichtheunwisetookforthewholeofhim。
ThatnightwewentwithhimtoElmira，andnextday——asomberdayofrain——helayinthosestatelyparlorsthathadseenhiswedding—day，andwhereSusyhadlain，andMrs。Clemens，andJean，whileDr。Eastmanspokethewordsofpeacewhichseparateusfromourmortaldead。Theninthequiet，steadyrainofthatSundayafternoonwelaidhimbesidethoseothers，wherehesleepswell，thoughsomehavewishedthat，likeDeSoto，hemighthavebeenlaidtorestinthebedofthatgreatriverwhichmustalwaysbeassociatedwithhisname。