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—­