Part 7 (1/2)

It was just a wild angry song of the rebels!

ELIZABETH.

Don't you see, child? The tiger was the n.o.blest of beasts for them; there was nothing else so royal and terrible. They meant that he was n.o.bler than the n.o.blest! [_She speaks with quiet emotion._

CARLYON.

Exactly! Exactly! And they happened to be fond of snakes, so they said I was like one! [_Satirically._

ELIZABETH.

Of course they only saw him as a deadly fighter; that was as much as they could understand! They never dreamed of the heights and depths----

CARLYON.

_You_ would have made me one of your invalid fowls, Elizabeth, wouldn't you? Hullo, has one of them been biting you?

[_Pointing to her hand in the handkerchief._

VERA.

Why, Elizabeth!

ELIZABETH.

Oh, it's nothing at all.

VERA.

Let me see. [ELIZABETH _tries to put her off_.] No, I _will_ see! Why, it is right to the bone both sides! That creature ought really----

ELIZABETH.

[_With mild annoyance._] Dear me, Vera, it's really nothing at all! The chicken I put in was frightened and lay still, so the poor fellow wouldn't look at it. So I just put my hand in and was stirring the chicken up----

CARLYON.

And he swooped upon you! Go away at once, Elizabeth; and never say I'm like those eagles again!

[ADENE _opens the door for_ ELIZABETH.

ELIZABETH.

[_To_ VERA.] No, you shan't come with me, dear! I am quite ashamed, Mr.

Adene, to make such a fuss!

ADENE.

My dear lady, it is the absence of fuss that strikes me! [_Exit_ ELIZABETH.] Well, if I had had my hand bitten right through by a Himalayan eagle----

VERA.