The Voice
[Still further off.] Cuckoo!
The White Hen
The one of the woods.
The Grey Hen
[With a sigh of relief.] Oh, I was so afraid of having missed the other!
The White Hen
[Going near enough to her to speak in an undertone.] Do you mean to say you love him?
The Grey Hen
[Sadly.] Without ever having set eyes on him. He lives in a chalet hanging on the kitchen wall, above the farmer’s great-coat and fowling-piece. The moment he sings, I rush to the spot, but I never get there in time to see anything but his little wicket closing. This evening I mean to stay right here beside the door—[She takes up her position on the threshold.]
A Voice
White Hen!
Scene Second
The Same, a Pigeon on the roof, later Chantecler.
The White Hen
[Looking about with quick jerks of her head.] Who called me?
The Voice
A pigeon.