Twain contrasts lecturing with reading, which is usually boring for an audience. Charles Dickens made readings popular, but that was because he did it so well. In fact, Twain got to see him once, and says it made the happiness of his life. This was not because he was so happy to see Dickens, but because it was on this trip that he met a young woman, Olivia Langdon. They married in 1870.
Twain says his wife was both girl and woman, for all the years that he knew her. He speaks at length about her poor health and frailty, although he says her spirit was indestructible. Olivia had fallen on ice at the age of 16 and was an invalid for two years, until the prayers of a Dr. Newton cured her. Twain.....
