THE GUINEA-HEN [_Presenting her son to the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] The Guinea-c.o.c.k, my son.

THE YOUNG GUINEA-c.o.c.k [_Looking admiringly at the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] What a jolly shade of blond!

A HEN [_Disparagingly._] Like b.u.t.ter!

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.

PHEASANT-HEN But where can I spend the night?

PATOU [_Indicating his kennel._] There, in my bachelor's quarters.

PHEASANT-HEN I?--Sleep beneath a roof?

PATOU [_Insisting._] Go in, I pray.

THE PHEASANT-HEN But you? What shall you do?

PATOU I shall do very well!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Resigning herself._] I will stay then until to-morrow.

THE GUINEA-HEN [_With piercing cries._] Ah! Ah! But to-morrow, my dear! to-morrow--

ALL [_In alarm._] What is it?

THE YOUNG GUINEA-c.o.c.k To-morrow is my mother's day!

THE GUINEA-HEN [_Impetuously._] My dear, would you care to come to-morrow quite informally, and take a simple snail with us? The Peac.o.c.k--

CHANTECLER [_Mounting the ladder, from whence he can inspect the scene._] Quiet, if you please! Evening has blown its smoke across the sky--[_In a tone of command._] Is every one in his accustomed place?

THE GUINEA-HEN [_Lower, to the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] The Peac.o.c.k is coming. We shall hold our little gathering among the currant-bushes.

CHANTECLER Are the turkeys on their roost?

THE GUINEA-HEN [_Same business._] From five to six.

CHANTECLER Are the ducks in their pointed house?

THE GUINEA-HEN [_Same business._] The Tortoise has kindly said we may expect her.

PHEASANT-HEN Indeed?

CHANTECLER [_On the last rung of the ladder._] Is every one under cover?--Every chick under a wing?

THE GUINEA-HEN [_Still insisting with the_ PHEASANT-HEN _that she come on the morrow._]

The Tufted Hen has promised to bring the c.o.c.k.--[_To_ CHANTECLER.]

Charmed, I am sure.

CHANTECLER But--

THE TUFTED HEN [_Looking out of the hen-house._] You will come, won't you, dear?

CHANTECLER No.

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_At the foot of the ladder, looking up at him._] Oh, but you will?

CHANTECLER Why?

THE PHEASANT-HEN Because you said "No!" to the other!

CHANTECLER [_Wavering._] Ah!

PATOU Humph! I beseech you--

CHANTECLER [_Still wavering._] I--

PATOU Humph! He is weakening.--They will make him pay dear if he yields!

THE OLD HEN [_Appearing._] Make a reed into a pipe and play a tune upon it! [_The basket-lid drops._]

[_Night is thickening._]

CHANTECLER [_Still hesitating._] I--

A VOICE Let us go to sleep--