.. complained of the lengthiness of this first
act: "What a lot of details," he said, "which serve no purpose, and
had better have been omitted! What is the use of that long story
about the cactus with a flower that is unique in all the world? Why
trouble us with that dahlia-root, which M. Caussade's neighbour has
thrown over the garden wall? Was it necessary to inflict on us all
that talk about the fox that plays havoc in the garden? What have we
to do with that mischievous beast? And that Tolozan, with his
endless digressions! What do we care about his ideas on love, on
metempsychosis, on friendship, etc.? All this stuff only retards
the action."
"On the contrary," I replied, "all this is just what is going to
interest you. You are impatient of these details, because you are
looking out for the scenes of passion which have been promised you.
But reflect that, without these preparations, the scenes of passion
would not touch you. That cactus-flower will play its part, you may
be sure; that dahlia-root is not there for nothing; that fox to
which you object, and of which you will hear more talk during two
more acts, will bring about the solution of one of the most
entertaining situations in all drama.
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