THE GUINEA-HEN [_Fluttering forward again, excited as ever._] I have the Breeze, who now and then shakes down a cherry! I never ask her. She comes unasked. What’s-his-name is here! And What’s-her-name is here, and--[_To the back tumultuously._] THE BLACKBIRD And Thingumbob, and Stick-in-the-mud! [_He has arrived without appearance of design beneath the tree where the_ CAT _is lying, and asks rapidly, under breath._] Cat, what about the conspiracy? THE CAT [_Who from his tree can see beyond the hedge._] It is afoot. I see the interminable file of phenomenal Cocks approaching, headed by the Peacock who comes to present them. A CRY [_Outside._] Ee--yong! [_The_ CROWD _throngs toward the entrance._] PATOU [_Grumbling._] That abominable concertina cry-- THE MAGPIE The Peacock! THE PHEASANT-HEN [_To the_ BLACKBIRD.] Have you a fancy name for him? THE BLACKBIRD [_Imitating the_ PEACOCK’S _cry._] Our great Accordee-yong! SCENE SECOND THE SAME, THE PEACOCK. THE GUINEA-HEN [_To the_ PEACOCK, _who enters slowly, with his head borne very stiff and high._] Master, dear Master, would you be so extremely condescending as to come and stand with your back to these sunflowers? Peacock! Sunflowers! A study for Burne-Jones! ALL [_Crowding around the_ PEACOCK.] Master! Master! A CHICKEN [_Low to the_ DUCK.] A word from him can make one’s fortune in society! ANOTHER CHICKEN [_Who has succeeded in forcing his way to the_ PEACOCK, _stammering with emotion._] Master, what do you think of my latest “cheep”? [_Suspense. Religious silence._] THE PEACOCK [_Solemnly, letting the word drop slowly from his beak._] Definitive. [_Sensation._] A DUCK [_Trembling._] And my “quack”? [_Suspense._] THE PEACOCK Ultimate! [_Sensation._] THE GUINEA-HEN [_Delighted, to the_ HENS.] I may say that it is at my days most especially he throws off these specimens of a verbal art which might fairly be called-- THE PEACOCK Lapidary. ALL THE HENS [_Rolling up their eyes._] Wonderful! A HEN [_Coming forward, faint with emotion._] Master, high priest of taste, what do you think of my dress? [_Suspense._] THE PEACOCK [_After a glance._] Affirmative. [_Sensation._] THE TUFTED HEN [_Same business._] And my bonnet? [_Suspense._] THE PEACOCK Absolute. [_Sensation._] THE GUINEA-HEN [_In a burst of emotion._] Our bonnets are absolute! THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Affecting exclusive interest in the_ BEES.] Ah, there is the Choir Invisible striking up again! THE GUINEA-HEN [_Presenting the young_ GUINEA-COCK _to the_ PEACOCK.] My son!--What do you think of him? THE PEACOCK Plausible. CHORUS OF WASPS _Busily buzzing_-- THE GUINEA-HEN [_Overjoyed, running to the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] Oh, he said he was plausible! THE PHEASANT-HEN Who was? THE GUINEA-HEN My son! CHORUS OF BEES _When July Too holly glows Seek the shade Inside the rose_! THE GUINEA-HEN [_Returning to the_ PEACOCK.] Does not the rhythm of that chorus impress you as--