FOX. But oh, that such a sweet bird should be dumb!—should be so utterly dumb!
[He weeps gently in his little pocket handkerchief.]
MADAM (indignantly). Do you think, sir, she cannot caw as well as the rest of us?
FOX. I must think so, dear madam. Alas!
[Weeping again in his little pocket handkerchief.]
MADAM. You shall think so, then, no longer! Caw, child, caw, as you have never cawed before!
MISS CROW (opening mouth; dropping cheese). Caw! Caw!
[Fox quickly snaps up the cheese.]
FOX (going). Thank you, Miss Crow. Remember, dear madam, that whatever I said of her beauty, I said nothing of her brains.
[He goes, waving the crows a farewell with his little pocket handkerchief.]