THE TURKEY Yes, proud with a lowly foster-mother’s pride. Her beloved chick is coming to his inches, that is all she seems to understand or care about. And when you tell her this, her clouded reason gives a momentary gleam-- [_Calling towards the basket._] Hey, old lady, he is growing! ALL THE HENS He is growing! [_The lid of the basket is suddenly lifted, and a bristling aged hen’s head appears._] THE PIGEON [_To the_ OLD HEN, _gently and feelingly._] Does it make you happy, mother, to think of him grown to a big fine Cock? THE OLD HEN [_Nodding, sententiously._] Happy?--Wednesday’s crops do credit to Tuesday! [_She disappears, the lid drops._] THE TURKEY She opens now and then, like that, and ping! shoots at us some such pearl of homely lore-- THE PIGEON [_To the_ WHITE HEN.] White Hen! THE TURKEY --not always wholly without point! THE OLD HEN [_Reappearing for an instant._] In the Peacock’s absence, the Turkey spreads his tail! [_The_ TURKEY _turns quickly around, the lid has already dropped._] THE PIGEON [_To the_ WHITE HEN.] Is it a fact that Chantecler is never hoarse, never the very least husky? THE WHITE HEN [_Keeping on with her pecking._] Perfectly true. THE PIGEON [_With growing enthusiasm._] Ah, you must be proud Cock who will be numbered among Illustrious Animals and his name remembered five, ten, fifteen years! THE TURKEY Very proud. Very proud. [_To a_ CHICK.] Who are the Illustrious Animals? Tell them off! THE CHICK [_Reciting a lesson._] Noah’s Dove--Saint Rocco’s Poodle--The--the Horse of Cali-- THE TURKEY Cali--? THE CHICK [_Trying to remember._] Cali-- THE PIGEON This Cock, now--this Cock of yours--Is it true that his song attunes, inspires, encourages, makes labour light, and keeps off birds of prey? THE WHITE HEN [_Pecking._] Perfectly true. THE CHICK [_Still hunting for his word._] Cali--Cali-- THE PIGEON White Hen, is it true that by his song, defender of the warm and sacred egg, he has frequently kept the lissome weasel from-- THE BLACKBIRD [_Looking out between the bars._]--messing his shirtfront with omelette? THE WHITE HEN Perfectly true. THE CHICK Cali-- THE TURKEY [_Helping him._] Gu? THE CHICK Gu-- THE PIGEON Is it true--? THE CHICK [_Jumping for joy at having found._] Gula! THE PIGEON --true that, as report says, he has a secret for his amazing singing, a secret whereby his crow becomes the brilliant burst of red which makes the poppies of the field feel themselves contemptible imitations? THE WHITE HEN [_Weary of this questioning._] Perfectly true. THE PIGEON That secret, that great secret, is it known to anyone? THE WHITE HEN No. THE PIGEON He has not even told his Hen? THE WHITE HEN [_Correcting him._] His Hens. THE PIGEON [_Slightly shocked._] Ah, he has more than one? THE BLACKBIRD He crows, remember, you only coo. THE PIGEON Well, then, he has not even told his favourite? THE TUFTED HEN [_Promptly._] No, he has not! THE WHITE HEN [_As promptly._] No, he has not!