Note: Probably this is the first published literary book by H. G. Wells. (Coverage in contemporary magazines and newspapers does not clearly show that it preceded The Time Machine. Wikipedia lists two earlier books, both published in 1893: A Text-Book of Biology by Wells and Honours Physiography by Wells and R.A. Gregory.) As represented in the Gutenberg ebook, the Contents list shows three main works, the "Select Conversations" with 12 sublistings and the two stories. Preceding the Contents, a brief preface notes that "I have arranged this unworthy little tribute to his memory, this poor dozen of casual monologues that were so preserved." Relying on the preface and the last few paragraphs of the last conversation, the "Uncle" is a formerly delightful and memorable conversationalist, "now extinct" because he married.