Page:The life and writings of Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) (IA lifewritingsofal00spurrich).pdf/160

 "See," said the dramatist to his confrère, "that's the effect that your plays produce!"

The next day a comedy of Dumas's was played, and the author was present. Suddenly Soumet tapped his friend's shoulder, and pointed out a gentleman asleep in the orchestra, saying in bittersweet accents:

"You see, my dear friend, that one falls asleep just the same when listening to your prose."

"That? Why that is the gentleman who went to sleep yesterday, and hasn't woke up yet!" retorted the other.

In spite of his social rank Dumas was just as much at home in the boulevards, with the gamins, and the populace, who loved him and whom he loved, as with the wits and peers. He was walking one day with his secretary Pifteau, and looking for a cab, when a post-office mail-omnibus rolled by.

"Stop!" he cried to the driver, "give us a lift. We're men of letters, too!"

The postman grinned as he whipped up his horses.

The mots uttered by Dumas or attributed to him were numberless. The saying "tout passe, tout lasse, tout casse," is said to have been originated by him. The witty utterances in his books have all the flavour, and unexpectedness of spoken jests. "Heaven has made but one drama for man—the