Ben's mistake at the taxidermist's serves two purposes. First off, it beats his incompetence more thoroughly into the audience's head. Hithcock even makes fun of a real spy caper, with Stewart being held immobile before the blade of a swordfish bill. Second, this scene invites the audience to make the same mistake Stewart does, thus inviting them into the character. Herrmann scores this scene rather whimsically with comical pizzicato strings running with the action. We are forced to follow Ben down the wrong road while his wife, currently off-camera, figures things out on her own. Jo remains in control despite Ben's best efforts to take matters into his own hands. His constant emasculating failure is only magnified in light of her persistent success.