Since this thread got bigger than I could manage on a one-on-one basis, I hesitate to comment further, BUT:
I appreciate the equivocation, @NanoNano. I doubt that Twain was serious about Austin in the quote, but don’t exclude it out-of-hand. He could have had a grudge – that was sort of his wont.
Informed, insightful and intelligent comment, @bea2345. I was an English major in college, but that was 32 years ago.
Great point! @LostInParadise