Show WHY MARK DIDN T TALK august perso personage lage at the table had a monopoly of it A couple of days ago a gentleman called upon me with i L message from the german emperor the word ing of the message was convey to mr clemens my kind est regards ask him if he kemem bers that dinner and ask him why he do any talking why how could I 1 talk when he was talking he held the age as the poker clergy say and two cant can t talk at the same time with good et ef feet it reminds me ot of the man who was reproaching a friend who said I 1 think it a shame that you have not spoken to your our wife tor for 15 yeara years how do you justify it if I 1 dida t want to interrupt her it if the emperor had been at my table he would not have suffered from my silence he would only guly have suffered from the sorrows of his own solitude it if I 1 were not too old to travel I 1 would go to berlin and introduce the eti ett quette of my own table which tallies with the etiquette observable at other royal tables I 1 would say invite me again your majesty and give me a chance then I 1 would courteously waive rank and do all the talking m my y self I 1 thank his majesty tor for his kind message and am proud to have it and glad to express my sincere reciprocal reci don of its sentiments from mark twain s autobiography in the north american review |