THE BLACKBIRD The hearthstone from whence both alike wish to watch the play of the Fire among the Logs. THE TURKEY [_Delighted._] How aptly he conveys that the hatred of peoples is at bottom a question of wanting the other’s territory. There’s a brain for you! THE SPECKLED HEN [_To the_ WHITE HEN, _who is pecking._] Do you peck peppers? THE WHITE HEN Constantly. THE SPECKLED HEN How can you stand the sting? THE WHITE HEN It imparts to the feathers a delicate rosy tint. THE SPECKLED HEN Oh, does it! A VOICE IN THE DISTANCE Cuckoo! THE WHITE HEN Listen! THE VOICE [_From a greater distance._] Cuckoo! THE WHITE HEN The Cuckoo! A GREY HEN [_Comes running excitedly._] Which Cuckoo? The one who lives in the woods, or the one who lives in the clock? THE VOICE [_Still further off._] Cuckoo! THE WHITE HEN The one of the woods. THE GREY HEN [_With a sigh of relief._] Oh, I was so afraid of having missed the other! THE WHITE HEN [_Going near enough to her to speak in an undertone._] Do you mean to say you love him? THE GREY HEN [_Sadly._] Without ever having set eyes on him. He lives in a chalet hanging on the kitchen wall, above the farmer’s great-coat and fowling-piece. The moment he sings, I rush to the spot, but I never get there in time to see anything but his little wicket closing. This evening I mean to stay right here beside the door--[_She takes up her position on the threshold._] A VOICE White Hen! SCENE SECOND THE SAME, _a_ PIGEON _on the roof, later_ CHANTECLER. THE WHITE HEN [_Looking about with quick jerks of her head._] Who called me? THE VOICE A pigeon. THE WHITE HEN [_Looking for him._] Where? THE PIGEON On the sloping roof. THE WHITE HEN [_Lifting her head and seeing him._] Ah! THE PIGEON Though I am the bearer of an important missive, I would not miss the opportunity--Good evening, Hen! THE WHITE HEN Postman, howdedo? THE PIGEON My duty on the Postal Service of the Air obliging me this summer evening to pass your habitations, I should be most happy if-- THE WHITE HEN [_Spying a crumb of some sort._] One moment, please. ANOTHER HEN [_Running eagerly towards her._] What are you eating? ALL THE HENS [_Arriving at a run._] What’s she eating? THE WHITE HEN A simple grain of wheat. THE GREY HEN [_Taking up her conversation with the_ WHITE HEN.] As I was telling you, I mean to stay right on the door-step there--[_Showing the door of the house._] THE WHITE HEN [_Looking at the door._] The door is shut. THE GREY HEN Yes, but I shall hear the hour striking, and I will catch a look at my Cuckoo by stretching my neck,-- THE PIGEON [_Calling, slightly out of patience._] White Hen! THE WHITE HEN One moment, please! [_To the_ GREY HEN.]--Catch a look at your Cuckoo, by stretching your neck where?--Where? THE GREY HEN [_Pointing with her beak at the small, round opening at the foot of the door._] Through the cat-hole!