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THE GUINEA-HEN [_Presenting her son to the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] The Guinea-c.o.c.k, my son.
THE YOUNG GUINEA-c.o.c.k [_Looking admiringly at the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] What a jolly shade of blond!
A HEN [_Disparagingly._] Like b.u.t.ter!
CHANTECLER [_Turning, dryly to the_ HENS.] It is time you went indoors.
THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Amiably._] So soon?
CHANTECLER They retire early.
A HEN [_A little mortified._] Yes, we must turn in.
THE PHEASANT-HEN They go in by a ladder!
THE GUINEA-HEN [_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] Let us be great friends, my dear, shall we?
CHANTECLER [_Looking at the_ PHEASANT-HEN, _aside._] Her sumptuous court-dress sets her apart from the rest, and removes her far above.--My Hens are dowdies!
THE PHEASANT-HEN [_To the_ GUINEA-HEN, _excusing herself._] I return to my forest home to-night.
THE GUINEA-HEN [_In excessive grief._] So soon--? [_A shot in the distance._]
PATOU They are still after game.
THE GUINEA-HEN You must stay.
CHANTECLER [_Eagerly._] That's it! Let us keep her a prisoner among us till to-morrow.
PHEASANT-HEN But where can I spend the night?
PATOU [_Indicating his kennel._] There, in my bachelor's quarters.
PHEASANT-HEN I?--Sleep beneath a roof?
PATOU [_Insisting._] Go in, I pray.
THE PHEASANT-HEN But you? What shall you do?
PATOU I shall do very well!
THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Resigning herself._] I will stay then until to-morrow.
THE GUINEA-HEN [_With piercing cries._] Ah! Ah! But to-morrow, my dear! to-morrow--
ALL [_In alarm._] What is it?
THE YOUNG GUINEA-c.o.c.k To-morrow is my mother's day!
THE GUINEA-HEN [_Impetuously._] My dear, would you care to come to-morrow quite informally, and take a simple snail with us? The Peac.o.c.k--
CHANTECLER [_Mounting the ladder, from whence he can inspect the scene._] Quiet, if you please! Evening has blown its smoke across the sky--[_In a tone of command._] Is every one in his accustomed place?
THE GUINEA-HEN [_Lower, to the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] The Peac.o.c.k is coming. We shall hold our little gathering among the currant-bushes.
CHANTECLER Are the turkeys on their roost?
THE GUINEA-HEN [_Same business._] From five to six.
CHANTECLER Are the ducks in their pointed house?
THE GUINEA-HEN [_Same business._] The Tortoise has kindly said we may expect her.
PHEASANT-HEN Indeed?
CHANTECLER [_On the last rung of the ladder._] Is every one under cover?--Every chick under a wing?
THE GUINEA-HEN [_Still insisting with the_ PHEASANT-HEN _that she come on the morrow._]
The Tufted Hen has promised to bring the c.o.c.k.--[_To_ CHANTECLER.]
Charmed, I am sure.
CHANTECLER But--
THE TUFTED HEN [_Looking out of the hen-house._] You will come, won't you, dear?
CHANTECLER No.
THE PHEASANT-HEN [_At the foot of the ladder, looking up at him._] Oh, but you will?
CHANTECLER Why?
THE PHEASANT-HEN Because you said "No!" to the other!
CHANTECLER [_Wavering._] Ah!
PATOU Humph! I beseech you--
CHANTECLER [_Still wavering._] I--
PATOU Humph! He is weakening.--They will make him pay dear if he yields!
THE OLD HEN [_Appearing._] Make a reed into a pipe and play a tune upon it! [_The basket-lid drops._]
[_Night is thickening._]
CHANTECLER [_Still hesitating._] I--
A VOICE Let us go to sleep--
