CHANTECLER
Two friends.
THE PHEASANT-HEN
Two chickens.
CHANTECLER
Very old!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_Quickly._] No, no--not old! Very ugly!
CHANTECLER
[_Quicker still._] Oh, no, not ugly! [_Coming nearer to her._] Will you
take a turn in the yard?--Accept my wing!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
You shall show me the sights.
CHANTECLER
[_Stopping before the_ CHICKENS' _drinking-trough._]This, of course, is
hideous. It is a model drinking-trough on the siphon principle, made of
galvanised iron. But everything excepting that is charming, noble, time
and weather worn, from the hen-house roof to the stable door--
THE BLACKBIRD
[_Returning._] The Guinea-hen is having a fit!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_To_ CHANTECLER, _looking about her._] And so you live here untroubled,
and have nothing to fear?
CHANTECLER
Nothing whatever. Because the owner is a vegetarian An amazing man, a
lover of animals. He calls them by names borrowed from the poets. The
donkey there is Midas; the heifer, Io.
THE BLACKBIRD
The showman's on the job!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_Indicating the_ BLACKBIRD.] And that?
CHANTECLER
Our humorist.
THE PHEASANT-HEN
What does he do?
CHANTECLER
Oh, he keeps busy!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
Doing what?
CHANTECLER
Trying never to appear a fool, and that's hard work.
THE PHEASANT-HEN
Possibly--but most unattractive! [_They move towards the back._]
THE BLACKBIRD
[_With a glance at the_ PHEASANT-HEN'S _scarlet breast.
Pages:
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53