(_Possibilities for the next O. Wilde Play._) _Puppet Number One._
Let's come into the garden, MAUDLE. I adore the garden. Don't you know
that the book of at least one good play begins with some epigrams in
the garden, and ends with----
_Puppet Number Two._ Recitations--strictly puritanical. Well, let's
go into the garden: there's nothing but Nature to look at there, so we
will discuss----
_Puppet Number One._ The picture shows. It seems to me there are two
principles in modern art. The first is--give a picture a good name,
and they'll hang it.
_Puppet Number Two._ What's--ahem!--what _is_ in a name?
_Puppet Number One._ Usually a good deal more than is in the picture.
_Puppet Number Two._ And the second principle?
_Puppet Number One._ Art is short, and the life (of the average
Academician) is long.
_Puppet Number Two._ Ah, well. I suppose I shall have to ask you
sooner or later to define Art.
_Puppet Number One._ Certainly. Art is that which invariably goes one
better than Nature.
_Puppet Number Two (with a sigh)._ And what is Nature?
_Puppet Number One._ Nature is that which is not so natural as it is
painted.
_Puppet Number Two (with a groan)._ What about truth in Art then?
_Puppet Number One._ Ah! Truth is that one infirmity of a noble mind.
_Puppet Number Two._ Truth is nothing if not respectable.
_Puppet Number One._ Remember, respectability is an affectation, of
cynics, dramatic authors--and other people of no importance generally.
[_Exeunt severally. Curtain._
* * * * *
Mrs. R. observes, "it is only too true that Summer pleasures, as the
poet says, are nearly always effervescent."
* * * * *