Chantecler
[With his bill in the flower.] Indeed?

The Woodpecker
[Fluttering desperately.] Hush!

Chantecler
The Ducks spent the night under the cart, did they?

The Woodpecker
Pst!

Scene Fourth

The Same, the Pheasant-hen

The Pheasant-hen
[Who has come upon the scene, with a threatening gesture at the Woodpecker.] Go inside! [The Wood Pecker precipitately disappears. She stands listening to Chantecler.]

Chantecler
[In the convolvulus, more and more deeply interested.] You don’t mean it! What, all of them?—Yes?—No—Oh!—Well, well!—Is that so?

The Woodpecker
[Who has timidly come back, aside.] Oh, that an ant of the heaviest might weigh down his tongue!

Chantecler
[Talking into the flower.] So soon? The Peacock out of fashion?