9. Act I Scene 7
THE SAME,
the GUINEA-HEN,
and the whole POULTRY-YARD
Cries outside, nearer and nearer, "Ah!--"
Enter all the HENS
in tumult, preceded by the agitated GUINEA-HEN.
THE BLACKBIRD [
In his cage.] The next course will be Guinea-hen!
THE GUINEA-HEN [
Running to the PHEASANT-HEN.] Ah, my dear, my dear, my dear!--A beauty, a very beauty!--We have come to make your acquaintance, my dear!
[
General admiration, "Ah!--"
The PHEASANT-HEN
is surrounded. Conversation, cries, clucking.]
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.
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-COCK 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 Peacock--
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 Peacock 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 Cock.--[
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--
THE TURKEY [
On his roost, solemnly.]
Quandoque dormitat--
THE BLACKBIRD [
In his cage.] Dormittimus!
CHANTECLER [
Very firmly to the PHEASANT-HEN.] I will not go. Good night.
THE PHEASANT-HEN [
Slightly offended.] Good night! [
With a curt hop she enters the dog-kennel.]
PATOU [
Falling asleep, stretched in front of his kennel.] Let us sleep until the sky grows pink--pink as--as--a puppy's tummy--
THE GUINEA-HEN [
Dropping off.] From five to six--
THE BLACKBIRD [
Likewise dropping off.] Tew--tew--[
He nods.] tew--
CHANTECLER [
Still at the top of the ladder.] All sleeps.--[
He spies a CHICK
stealing out.] Is that a chick I see?--[
Springing after him and driving him in.] Let me catch you!--[
In driving back the CHICK,
he finds himself near the kennel. He calls very softly.] Pheasant-hen!
THE PHEASANT-HEN [
Lost among the straw, sleepily.] What do you want?
CHANTECLER [
After a moment's hesitation.] Nothing.--Nothing! [
He goes back to the top of his ladder.]
THE PHEASANT-HEN Shall I be able to sleep, I wonder--
PATOU [
Falling sound asleep.] A puppy's tum--
THE PHEASANT-HEN [
Indistinctly, overcome by slumber.] To sleep under a roof?--I, with my gypsy tastes?
CHANTECLER I am going in. [
He disappears in the hen-house. He is heard saying in a dreamy voice.] It is time to shut my--my--
THE PHEASANT-HEN [
In a last effort.]--gyp--sy--tastes.--[
Her head nods and disappears among the straw.]
CHANTECLER [
His voice, sleepier and fainter.]--to shut my eyes--[
Silence. He sleeps. Two green eyes are seen suddenly kindling at the top of the wall.]
THE CAT And to open mine! [
Immediately two more yellow eyes shine forth from the darkness above the hay-cock.]
A VOICE And mine! [
Two more yellow eyes on the wall.]
ANOTHER VOICE And mine! [
Two more yellow eyes.]
ANOTHER VOICE And mine!