THE SERPENT. Eve.
EVE [startled] Who is that?
THE SERPENT. It is I. I have come to shew you my beautiful new hood. See [she spreads a magnificent amethystine hood]!
EVE [admiring it] Oh! But who taught you to speak?
THE SERPENT. You and Adam. I have crept through the grass, and hidden, and listened to you.
EVE. That was wonderfully clever of you.
THE SERPENT. I am the most subtle of all the creatures of the field.
EVE. Your hood is most lovely. [She strokes it and pets the serpent]. Pretty thing! Do you love your godmother Eve?
THE SERPENT. I adore her. [She licks Eve's neck with her double tongue].
EVE [petting her] Eve's wonderful darling snake. Eve will never be lonely now that her snake can talk to her.