Patou
[Pointing to his bowl.] My poor dinner! Soup with seasonable vegetables.

Briffaut
[Hurriedly.] Have you seen a pheasant-hen go by?

Patou
[In astonishment, reflecting.] A pheasant-hen,—?

Chantecler
[Walking about, with an assumption of gaiety.] Impressive, isn’t he, Briffaut there? with his look of a thoroughbred old Englishman!

Patou
No, but I saw a pheasant.

Briffaut
That was she!

Patou
A pheasant-hen wears dun. This was a golden pheasant He went off towards the meadow.

Briffaut
It is she!

Chantecler
[Going towards him, incredulous.] A pheasant-hen with golden plumage?

Briffaut
Ah, you do not know what sometimes happens?