Oh, a net--at the end of a cane!

THE BLACKBIRD
No harm in the cane--it's the kid at the other end of the cane! [_Half
aloud, watching the_ BUTTERFLY.] You neat little fop, sailing from rose
to rose, to-night you'll be neat as a pin can make you!

ALL
[_Watching the cautious approach of the net beyond the wall._]
Nearer--Nearer--Hush! He'll catch it!--No he won't!--Yes, he will!

SUDDENLY OUTSIDE
Cock-a-doodle-doo!

[_At the sound, the_ BUTTERFLY _flies off. The_ NET _wavers a moment,
with an effect of disappointment, then disappears._]

SEVERAL HENS
What?--Eh?--What was it?

A HEN
[_Who having hopped up on a wheelbarrow can follow the flight of the_
BUTTERFLY.] He is off and away, over the meadow.

THE BLACKBIRD
[_With ironical emphasis._] It's Chantecler, practicing knight-errantry!

THE PIGEON
[_With emotion._] Chantecler!