Victor Hugo did not love the brilliant son of Alexander Dumas,
and when the latter was a boy the poet was very fond of snubbing
him. It is on record that one day young Dumas asked Victor
Hugo why he did not allow his children to take walks and have
talks with him. “It is,” answered the poet, “because Mme. Hugo
is alarmed about your morals. She is afraid you will lead away
the boys; in short, you pass for having violent passions.”
“Monsieur,” said the young Dumas, looking the poet in the eye,
“if one has no passions at twenty he is likely to have vices
at forty.” A day or two afterward the elder Dumas, meeting
with Hugo, said: “How do you like my son? Do you not think he
is witty?” “Yes,” said Hugo, “but he makes very bad use of his
wit.”--Philadelphia _Press_.
(2764)
=Retracing Steps=--See BARRIERS.