Read this passage i flew to the speaking tube and shouted to the engineer, “oh, ben, if you love me, back here! quick, ben! oh, back the immortal soul out of her! ”
i heard the door close gently. i looked around, and there stood mr. bixby, smiling a bland, sweet smile.
how does twain's decision to describe mr. bixby's smile as "bland" and "sweet" affect the text?
these words add humor to the text because they highlight the contrast between the demeanors of twain and bixby at this moment.
these words make it clear to readers that bixby does not understand the danger that he and twain both face at this moment.
these words stress the fact that, though he is much younger than bixby, twain is already a better riverboat pilot than the captain.
these words add a sense of injustice to the text because they show that bixby does not care about twain's problems.