60 ANTS AND CHILDREN OF THE GARDEN 



CHAPTER IV. 

 July 24 to July 30. 

 Florence and Ant. 



FLORENCE. Well, Ant, have you been learning any- 

 thing lately? 



ANT. Just compare my actions with those of the most 

 stupid person you know. Why, I have "psychic plasticity." 



FLORENCE. I don't know what that is, but I hope it 

 isn't catching. I still think you are stupid. You won't 

 follow the smooth path I made for you through the tan- 

 gled grass. 



ANT. Is that all? 



FLORENCE. You often butt each other in the head, run 

 over workers, ride on loads, don't know when I'm helping 

 you push a load, and hold onto a seed while I carry you 

 sixty feet and don't know what's happening. 



ANT. Go on, if you're not run down? 



FLORENCE. You are slow to detect an enemy, and 

 have entirely too many visitors. Ants, both larger and 

 smaller, come among yours, dodge them, out-run them, and 

 deceive them. 



ANT. It's my time to sleep. Wake me up when you 

 are done* 



FLORENCE. Hard work in the fields has made you dull. 

 You don't hunt live game for food or fun. You let the rest 

 do your thinking and hardly ever strike out alone. Better 

 wake up. 



ANT. Do not thousands of us live together in an or- 



