The Other
I know. All there is to do is to open our eyes.
The Screech-owl
Asio! Nictea! Nyctalis! [Three more pairs of eyes have opened.] Brachyotus! [No eye opening at the name, he repeats.] Brachyotus!
One of the Night-birds
He will be here directly. He stopped to eat a linnet.
Brachyotus
[Arriving.] Present!
The Screech-owl
Not one of them would miss, when the meeting relates to the Cock!
Brachyotus
Not one!
The Screech-owl
Carine! [Two eyes open.] Caparacoch! [No eye opening, he repeats emphatically.] Ca-pa-ra-coch!—Well?—Well?
Caparacoch
[Arriving out of breath, opens his eyes, faltering an excuse. ] I live a long way off!
The Screech-owl
[Dryly.] You should have started the earlier! [Looking around.] We are all present, I believe. [Calling.] Flammeolus! And Flammeoline! [All the eyes are now open.]
The Grand-duke
[Solemnly.] Before beginning, let us give, but not too loud, the cry which makes us all as one!