_]
CHANTECLER
[_Watching the_ PHEASANT-HEN, _aside._] How well she walks, with free
and graceful gait!--[_He looks at the_ HENS.] So differently from my
Hens! [_Irritably, to the_ HENS.] Ladies, you walk as if you had
blisters! You walk as if you trod on your own eggs!
PATOU
No mistaking the symptoms! He is very much in love.
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Presenting her son to the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] The Guinea-cock, my son.
THE YOUNG GUINEA-COCK
[_Looking admiringly at the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] What a jolly shade of blond!
A HEN
[_Disparagingly._] Like butter!
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.
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