CHANTECLER
A day off, do you mean?
PATOU
No, a day at home.
CHANTECLER
A day at--Where does she receive?
THE BLACKBIRD
In a corner of the kitchen-garden.
PATOU
Under the auspices of that strawman with the unsavoury old top-hat.
CHANTECLER
The scarecrow?
THE BLACKBIRD
Yes, his being there makes the affair select.
CHANTECLER
[_Bewildered._] How is that?
THE BLACKBIRD
Don't you see? He scares off all the puny fowl--. Poor relations are not
wanted at a function.
CHANTECLER
So the Guinea-hen has a day!
PATOU
[_Phlegmatically._] A bubble!
CHANTECLER
A balloon!
THE BLACKBIRD
[_Imitating the_ GUINEA-HEN.] Mondays, my dear--
CHANTECLER
And what do they do at that feather-brain's parties?
PATOU
Cluck and cackle. The Turkey-cock airs his social gifts, the Chick gets
into society.
BLACKBIRD
[_Imitating the_ GUINEA-HEN.] From five to six--
CHANTECLER
Evening?
PATOU
No, morning.
CHANTECLER
What--?
THE BLACKBIRD
You see, she must take advantage of the time when the garden is
deserted, and yet have it a five-o'clock tea. So she chose the hour when
the old gardener is at his early potations.
CHANTECLER
What nonsense!
THE BLACKBIRD
Quite so.
PATOU
You needn't talk. You go to her teas.
CHANTECLER
He goes--?
THE BLACKBIRD
Yes, I am one of their ornaments.
PATOU
And I am not so sure but that some day--
CHANTECLER
What are you mumbling to your brass-studded collar?
PATOU
--some Hen may get you too to go!
CHANTECLER
Me?
PATOU
You!
CHANTECLER
Me?--
PATOU
Led by the end of your beak.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44