The Speech.

 .Mark Twain (1835-1910) and William Howells (1837-1920) were American writers and good friends.Twain was a humorist noy only in fiction but also in real life,and he often played jokes on his friends.Once the two writers were invited to speak at a dinner.

Howells spoke first for some thirty minutes and was loudly-applauded.When it was Mark Twain´s turn to speak ,he rose and said,"Before dinner Howells and i agreed to exchange speeches.He has just delivered mine and i am  grateful for the reception that you have given it.Unfortunately,i have lost his speech and i can not remember a word of what he had to say."And he sat down.

Twain.