The Owls
He has gone in.
The Blackbird
I have betrayed no one!
An Owl
The Blackbird then is with us?
The Blackbird
No—but may I come and look on?
An Owl
A Night-bird never eats a black bird. You can come.
The Blackbird
The password?
The Owl
Terror and Talons!
The Pheasant-hen
[Putting her head out of the dog-kennel.] I can’t breathe in that stifling, low-roofed little house, and—[Catching sight of the Night-birds.] Oh!—[She darts aside, behind the kennel, and watches.]
The Owls
Hush! [They close their eyes. The Cat does the same. After a time, hearing no further sound, they open them again.] It was nothing. Let us be off.
The Group of the Disaffected
[With fawning obsequiousness to the Night-birds.] Success to you, Owls,—success!