As a conference attendee, I found Hoffman's comments--which, he carefully
noted twice I believe, came from "circumstantial evidence"--interesting
and possible.  Several Twain scholars sat with clenched jaws (and other
body parts?), but Hoffman was commended for reporting his findings and,
especially, for consulting a San Franciscan, a specialist in gay history.
Of course, the traditional explanations could also stand.

The news item announcing the Clemens-de Quille "engagement" does seem more
like a joke than reality.  But . . .I, too, am interested in hearing from
Twain scholars on this issue.

Joe Alvarez