(TYLTYL, MYTYL, _the_ DOG, BREAD _and_ SUGAR _are a little awestruck at first end crowd round_ LIGHT _in the foreground, to the right. The_ CAT, _without a word, walks to the background, also to the right, lifts a dark curtain and disappears_.) TYLTYL Who are those fat gentlemen enjoying themselves and eating such a lot of good things? LIGHT They are the biggest Luxuries of the Earth, the ones that can be seen with the naked eye. It is possible, though not very likely, that the Blue Bird may have strayed among them for a moment. That is why you must not turn the diamond yet. For form's sake, we will begin by searching this part of the hall. TYLTYL Can we go up to them? LIGHT Certainly. They are not ill-natured, although they are vulgar and usually rather ill-bred. MYTYL What beautiful cakes they have!.... THE DOG And such game! And sausages! And legs of lamb and calves' liver!... There is nothing nicer or lovelier in the world than liver!... BREAD Except quartern-loaves made of fine white flour! They have splendid ones!... How lovely they are! How lovely they are!... SUGAR I beg your pardon, I beg your pardon, I beg a thousand pardons.... Allow me, allow me.... I would not like to hurt anybody's feelings; but are you not forgetting the sweetmeats, which form the glory of that table and which, if I may say so, surpass in grandeur and magnificence all that exists in this hall, or perhaps anywhere else?... TYLTYL How pleased and happy they look!... And they are shouting! And laughing! And singing!... I believe they have seen us.... (_A dozen of the biggest_ LUXURIES _have risen from table and now, holding their stomachs in their hands, advance laboriously towards the_ CHILDREN.) LIGHT Have no fear, they are very affable.... They will probably invite you to dinner.... Do not accept, do not accept anything, lest you should forget your mission.... TYLTYL What? Not even a tiny cake? They look so good, so fresh, so well iced with sugar, covered with candied fruits and brimming over with cream!... LIGHT They are dangerous and would break your will. A man should know how to sacrifice something to the duty he is performing. Refuse politely, but firmly. THE BIGGEST OF THE LUXURIES (_holding out his hand to_ TYLTYL) How do you do, Tyltyl?... TYLTYL (_surprised_) Why, do you know me?... Who are you?...