his paw a slightly disrespectful gesture._]

CHANTECLER
[_Dryly._] Pray, what do you know about it?

BRIFFAUT
[_Astonished._] Is he annoyed?

PATOU
[_Aside._] Already!

CHANTECLER
In short, the pheasant your master missed--

BRIFFAUT
Was a she!--[_He stops and scents the air._] Oh but!--

PATOU
[_Quickly, showing his dish._] You know, it's my dinner you smell!

BRIFFAUT
It smells very unusually good.

CHANTECLER
[_Aside._] I don't like that way his nose has of twitching.

BRIFFAUT
[_Starting upon another story._] Fancy such an instance as the following--

THE BLACKBIRD