WIFE. Why, 't is a duckling—half frozen, too!
PEASANT. I found him frozen in the pond. I had to break the ice to get him out.
ELIZABETH. Give him to me, father. I will put him behind the stove.
PEASANT (giving Duckling to Elizabeth). That's a good child.
WIFE. Handle him tenderly, daughter.
ELIZABETH (taking off her shawl). He shall lie upon my shawl. You poor, dear, ugly little duckling!
[She places the Duckling upon the shawl behind the stove, near the CAT and HEN.]
PEASANT. 'T is the duckling I told you of!
WIFE. The one you saw on the pond yesterday?
PEASANT. Aye, and the day before, and all winter long, for that matter. Yesterday I saw him try to join the wild ducks on the river, but they drove him back to the pond.