FIRST VOICE
Two green eyes?
THE CAT
[_Sitting up on the wall, and looking at the other phosphorescent
eyes._] Six golden eyes?
FIRST VOICE
On the wall?
THE CAT
On the rick?--[_He calls._] Owls!
THE OWLS
Cat!
THE BLACKBIRD
[_Waking up._] What's this?
THE SCREECH-OWL
[_To the_ CAT.] Great plot against him!
THE CAT
To-night?
THE THREE OWLS
To-night, too-whit!
THE CAT
Pfitt!--Where?
THE OWLS
The hollies, too-whoo!
THE CAT
What o'clock?
THE OWLS
Eight, too-whit! too-whoo!
FIRST OWL
Bats weaving soft black snares of flight--
THE CAT
Are they with us?
THE THREE OWLS
They are!
FIRST OWL
Mole, burrowing from nether to upper night--
THE CAT
Is she with us?
THE THREE OWLS
She is!
THE CAT
[_Talking toward the house-door._] You, strike your eight strokes
bravely, Cuckoo of the little clock!
THE SCREECH-OWL
Is he with us?
THE CAT
He is!--And I am pleased to tell you, silent night-watchers that some of
the day-birds are likewise with us.
THE TURKEY
[_Coming forward surrounded by a number of the barnyard constituents,
obsequiously._] So it is settled for this evening, dear Round Eyes? You
will be there?
THE OWLS
We will be there! All the Round Eyes of the neighbourhood will be there!
THE BLACKBIRD
That's a show I'd like to see!
PATOU
[_In his sleep._] Grrrrrrr--
THE CAT
[_To the startled_ NIGHT-BIRDS.
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