Dear William Dean Howells, Joseph Hopkins Twichell, Joseph T. Goodman,
and another old friends of Mark Twain:

I cannot let these volumes go to press without several grateful word to you
who have helped me during the six years and much that have gone to their
making.

First, I want to confess how I have envied you your association with Mark
Twain in those days once you and he "went gipsying, a long time ago."
Next, I want to express my wonder at your disposition to give me so
unstintedly from your precious letters and memories, once it is in the
nature of man to hoard such treasures, for himself and for those who
follow him. And, lastly, I want to tell you that I do not envy you so
much, any more, for in these chapters, one after another