MISS KATY-DID AND MISS CRICKET. 41 



your appearance," said the Colonel. " One can see that noth- 

 ing so gross or material has ever entered into your system." 



"I 'm sure," said Miss Katy, "mamma says she don't 

 know what does keep me alive ; half a dewdrop and a 

 little bit of the nicest part of a rose-leaf, I assure you, 

 often last me for a day. But we are forgetting our list. 

 Let 's see, the Fireflies, Butterflies, Moths. The Bees 

 must come, I suppose." 



"The Bees are a worthy family," said the Colonel. 



"Worthy enough, but dreadfully humdrum," said Miss 

 Katy. They never talk about anything but honey and 

 housekeeping ; still, they are a class of people one cannot 

 neglect." 



"Well, then, there are the Bumble-Bees." 



" O, I doat on them ! General Bumble is one of the 

 most dashing, brilliant fellows of the day." 



"I think he is shockingly corpulent," said Colonel Katy- 

 did, not at all pleased to hear him praised; "don't you?" 



" I don't know but he is a little stout," said Miss Katy ; 

 "but so distinguished and elegant in his manners, some- 

 thing martial and breezy about him." 



" Well, if you invite the Bumble-Bees you must have 

 the Hornets." 



"Those spiteful Hornets, I detest them!" 



"Nevertheless, dear Miss Katy, one does not like to 

 offend the Hornets." 



