Mark Twain was once invited by a friend to go to the opera. The friend was very rich. He and his wife had their own box at the theatre. During the opera, the friend's wife talked all the time. She also talked rather loudly. She talked so much that it was often difficult for Mark Twain to listen to the opera. Toward the end of the opera she turned to Mark Twain and said, 'Oh, my dear Mark Twain, I do want you to be with us again next Friday night. I'm sure you will like it - the opera will be Carmen.' 'Thank you very much,' said Mark Twain. 'That will be fine. I have never heard you in Carmen.'