_] Oh, putrescent!--Oh, hindside fore!
THE GUINEA-HEN
Inside out!
THE MAGPIE
Shankless Jumping-cock!
A HEN
[_Fainting with emotion._] I suppose he jumps with his stomach!
THE GUINEA-HEN
An India-rubber Cock!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_To_ PATOU, _who from his wheelbarrow is looking off into the
distance._] And Chantecler?
PATOU
Will be here soon.
THE PHEASANT-HEN
Can you see him?
PATOU
Yes, off there, scratching up the earth. Now he is on his way.
THE MAGPIE
Ghoondook Cock with Umbrella Topknot!
CRY OF ENTHUSIASM
Oh!
THE MAGPIE
Iberian Cock with Lint Side Whiskers!
CRY OF ENTHUSIASM
Oh!
THE MAGPIE
Cock Bans Backin or Fat Cheek of Thuringia!
CRY OF ENTHUSIASM
Oh!
THE MAGPIE
Yankee Cochin of Plymouth Rock!
[_Sudden silence._ CHANTECLER _has appeared at the entrance, just behind
the_ COCK _last announced._]
CHANTECLER
[_To the_ MAGPIE.] Pray simply say, "The Cock!"
SCENE FOURTH
THE SAME, CHANTECLER, _later_ THE PIGEONS, _and_
THE SWAN.
THE MAGPIE
[_After looking_ CHANTECLER _up and down, disdainfully._] The Cock!
CHANTECLER
[_From the threshold, to the_ GUINEA-HEN.] Your pardon Madam,--my humble
duty!--for venturing to present myself in this plumage--
THE GUINEA-HEN
Come in, I pray!
CHANTECLER
I hardly know whether I should. I have a limited number of toes--
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Indulgently._] Oh, never mind!
CHANTECLER
I cannot claim to be a Carpathian, and--I hardly know how to conceal it
from you--I have feet!
THE GUINEA-HEN
Oh, let not that distress you!
CHANTECLER
A plain red-pepper comb, an ordinary garlic clove ear--
THE GUINEA-HEN
Of course, of course, we will excuse you.
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