Wow, this is some very sad news to wake up to on a Monday morning. It's a real major hit to the Twain community, but we all join Michael's family and community in Elmira in missing him already, and remembering him today. When I spent time in Elmira, I had a few opportunities to get to know Michael outside of the conference-type settings, and I have fond memories of Michael as a host. I recall one day earlier in my career, sitting in a coffee shop and listening to him talk about his own reading and writing; it was one of those meetings that has lingered in my mind over many years. He gave me some great ideas about my own work that stayed with me-- and I doubt if he was even really trying to do something like that, it just sort of came out. I always looked up to him as a Twain scholar and as a very sharp critic; he'll be missed, and already is. -- Harold K. Bush, Ph.D Professor of English Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO 63108 314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h) <www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>