The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 4, 1886 to 1900

M >> Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) >> The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 4, 1886 to 1900


The little note that follows shows that Mark Twain had not entirely
forgotten the days of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.


To a Neighbor on West Tenth Street, New York:

Nov. 30.
DEAR MADAM,--I know I ought to respect my duty and perform it, but I am
weak and faithless where boys are concerned, and I can't help secretly
approving pretty bad and noisy ones, though I do object to the kind that
ring door-bells. My family try to get me to stop the boys from holding
conventions on the front steps, but I basely shirk out of it, because I
think the boys enjoy it.

My wife has been complaining to me this evening about the boys on the
front steps and under compulsion I have made some promises. But I am
very forgetful, now that I am old, and my sense of duty is getting
spongy.
Very truly yours,
S. L. CLEMENS.