THE BLACKBIRD
I belong to my time. Every chap that's a bit of a swell nowadays must be
a bit of a tough. It's smart, you know.
PATOU
I froth at the mouth! Smart,--there's the Peacock's password!
CHANTECLER
Oh, the Peacock, by the way, what is he doing these days?
THE BLACKBIRD
Ogling with his tail-feathers!
PATOU
Baneful his example has been to many an humble heart.
CHANTECLER
What signs do you see of his influence?
PATOU
A thousand nothings.
THE OLD HEN
[_Appearing._] Bubbles floating down the stream tell of laundresses up
stream! [_The lid drops._]
CHANTECLER
I am sure I have not seen the smallest bubble from which--
PATOU
[_Indicating a_ GUINEA-PIG, _who is passing._] See there, that
Guinea-pig--
CHANTECLER
[_Considering him._] What about him? He is just a yellow Guinea-pig!
GUINEA-PIG
[_Snippily correcting._] Khaki, if you please!
CHANTECLER
[_To_ PATOU.] Kha--?
PATOU
A bubble!--And yonder waddling duck--
CHANTECLER
[_Looking at him._] He is going to take his bath--
THE DUCK
[_Drily._] My tub!
CHANTECLER
His--?
PATOU
A bubble!
[_A long grating noise is heard within the house Crrrrrrr, then._]
THE CLOCK
Cuckoo!
THE GREY HEN
[_Leaving her hiding-place and running towards the cat-hole._] His
voice!--Now through the kitty's little door I finally shall see him!
[_She thrusts her head into the hole.
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