Page:The life and writings of Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) (IA lifewritingsofal00spurrich).pdf/176

 faint, and when the father saw him in this state he fainted too!

"The doctor ordered leeches, but the child resisted strongly. The father implored and besought the boy to obey, vowing before God that it should not hurt him, to which the child replied, 'Oh, very well then, put them on yourself, and then I will let them put them on me afterwards.' Dumas consented, and put the leeches in the hollow of his left hand."

After the first natural pang of jealousy the elder playwright not only recognised, but acclaimed his son's dramatic powers. At the "first night" of one of the successful plays of Dumas fils the proud father wept with joy and happiness. "He took my hand," writes Villemessant, "saying, 'He is my best work! Even wittier was Dumas's reply, on a similar occasion, to a friend who remarked that the play was so good, it was surprising the father had no share in it. "Oh, but I had," said the veteran dramatist, "the author is by me!"

The light-hearted gaiety of the father and the sardonic gravity of the son, offered a contrast too marked to be missed by the wits. Alexandre is