] I may say that it is at my days most
especially he throws off these specimens of a verbal art which might
fairly be called--
THE PEACOCK
Lapidary.
ALL THE HENS
[_Rolling up their eyes._] Wonderful!
A HEN
[_Coming forward, faint with emotion._] Master, high priest of taste,
what do you think of my dress? [_Suspense._]
THE PEACOCK
[_After a glance._] Affirmative. [_Sensation._]
THE TUFTED HEN
[_Same business._] And my bonnet? [_Suspense._]
THE PEACOCK
Absolute. [_Sensation._]
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_In a burst of emotion._] Our bonnets are absolute!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_Affecting exclusive interest in the_ BEES.] Ah, there is the Choir
Invisible striking up again!
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Presenting the young_ GUINEA-COCK _to the_ PEACOCK.] My son!--What do
you think of him?
THE PEACOCK
Plausible.
CHORUS OF WASPS
_Busily buzzing_--
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Overjoyed, running to the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] Oh, he said he was plausible!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
Who was?
THE GUINEA-HEN
My son!
CHORUS OF BEES
_When July
Too holly glows
Seek the shade
Inside the rose_!
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Returning to the_ PEACOCK.] Does not the rhythm of that chorus impress
you as--
THE PEACOCK
Asunartetos!
A HEN
[_To the_ GUINEA-HEN.] Your guest, my dear, can fit an epithet!
THE GUINEA-HEN
Pontiff of the Unexpected Adjective I call him!
THE PEACOCK
[_Distilling his words, in a discordant haughty voice.
Pages:
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106