When the Christian Union reached the farm and papa’s article in it, all ready and waiting to be read to mama, papa hadn’t the courage to show it to her (for he knew she wouldn’t like it at all) at first, and he didn’t, but he might have let it go and never let her see it; but finally he gave his consent to her seeing it, and told Clara and I we could take it to her, which we did with tardiness, and we all stood around mama while she read it, all wondering what she would say and think about it.

She was too much surprised (and pleased privately too) to say much at first; but, as we all expected, publicly (or rather when she remembered that this article was to be read by every one that took the Christian Union) she was rather shocked and a little displeased.

Susy goes on to tell that the article provoked a number of letters, most of them pleasant ones, but some of them of quite another sort.  One of the latter fell into her mother’s hands, after which there was general regret that the article had been printed, and the subject was no longer discussed at Quarry Farm.

Susy’s biography is a unique record.  It was a sort of combined memoir and journal, charming in its innocent frankness and childish insight.  She used to keep it under her pillow, and after she was asleep the parents would steal it out and find a tender amusement and pathos in its quaint entries.  It is a faithful record so far as it goes, and the period it covers is an important one; for it presents a picture of Mark Twain in the fullness of his manhood, in the golden hour of his fortune.  Susy’s beginning has a special value here:—­[Susy’s’ spelling and punctuation are preserved.]

We are a very happy family!  We consist of papa, mama, Jean, Clara and me.  It is papa I am writing about, and I shall have no trouble in not knowing what to say about him, as he is a very striking character.  Papa’s appearance has been described many times, but very incorrectly; he has beautiful curly grey hair, not any too thick, or any too long, just right; a Roman nose, which greatly improves the beauty of his features, kind blue eyes, and a small mustache, he has a wonderfully shaped head, and profile, he has a very good figure in short he is an extraordinarily fine looking man.  All his features are perfect, except that he hasn’t extraordinary teeth.  His complexion is very fair, and he doesn’t ware a beard: 

    He is a very good man, and a very funny one; he has got a temper but
    we all of us have in this family.  He is the loveliest man I ever
    saw, or ever hope to see, and oh so absent-minded!