This is interesting, because it illustrates perfectly what happens when searching for the authentic Twain quotation. Barb Schmidt's wonderful _www.Twainquotes.com_ (http://www.Twainquotes.com) has, of course: "I was born modest; not all over, but in spots." -- from A Connecticut Yankee. And then there is: "I was born modest, but it didn't last." This, I believe, is an editorial adaptation made for the stage by Hal Holbrook. And it works, of course. So well, in fact, over the last 55 years, that it seems to have passed into the Twain lexicon as gospel. However, and this seems to me to be the original and one that works equally as well: "I was born modest, but it wore off." -- from the "Layman's Sermon," 1906. I could be wrong, but then it's easy to do that when trying to nail down the elusive "authoritative" version. Anyone with better instincts or info can help as they see necessary. That is what is most appealing about the Twain list. Eventually, we get it right. Or beat it to death trying. And that's admirable. Pardon the editorial. Roger Durrett Charlotte, NC