Chapter 79 Summary

Twain knew that this essay, written Christmas Eve 1909, would be the last chapter of his autobiography. He gave it to his secretary and said to put it at the end, "if it was good enough."

Twain's daughter, Jean, had died suddenly the day before from epilepsy. They had spent a wonderful evening together and parted happily at bedtime, looking forward to Christmas Eve. However, Jean had a seizure sometime in the night, and the housekeeper found her dead in the early morning of Christmas Eve.

Twain lost Suzy 13 years ago, Olivia 5 ? years ago, and now Jean. He says he feels as if a bullet has crashed through his heart.

Chapter 79 Analysis

This was indeed the last chapter of Twain's autobiography. He died in his home just four months later. Although Twain was 75 years old when he died, it seems certain that this comic...