How could I have hoped for it? When I returned from my affairs, I found on my mantel a pretty telephone apparatus which was quite new.
The Minister, M. Bérard, one of our most distinguished men of letters, had felt bound to interest himself in my capricious wish on the spot. He had sent a crew of twenty men with everything required for a rapid installation.
Dear, charming minister! I love him the more for his kindly word one day. "I was happy," he said, "to give you such pleasure, to you who have given me so much pleasure at the theater with your works."
Pari pari refertur, yes, it was returning like for like, but done with a grace and kindness which I appreciated highly.
Hello!... Hello! At the first attempt I was very clumsy of course. All the same I managed to hold a conversation.
I also learned, another useful kindness, that my number would not appear in the Annuaire. Consequently nobody could call me up. I was the only one who could use the marvellous instrument.
I did not wait long to call up Claretie and he was much surprised by the call from the Rue Vaugirard. I told him my ideas about the difficult scene which had brought about the installation of the telephone.
The difficulty was in the final scene.
I telephoned to him,
"Cut Thérèse's throat and it will be all right."