CHAPTER, TWO 



Tl\0 Cell floucse 



OW long I slept I cannot say, 

 but I was awakened by a sharp 

 blow which nearly knocked me 

 from the combs. So nearly was 

 I toppled over that I seized the first thing my feet fell 

 upon. I felt immediately, by the way I was being 

 dragged about, that I had grappled something dan- 

 gerous; and imagine my consternation when I suc- 

 ceeded in opening my eyes ! I was holding fast to the 

 biggest bee that ever lived. Many of the same kind I 

 have seen since that awakening, but none ever looked 

 so terrible. When I had managed to loose my hold 

 on this monster and stood fairly on the combs, I asked 

 the nearest bee: 

 "Who is that?" 

 "Nobody; he is just a drone." 

 "Please, then, what are drones?" for I had developed 

 a wholesome respect for one of them. 



"A drone is a great, worthless bee that won't work. 

 20 



