THE LIFE OF A BEE 



Crip had turned about for the last time, and was 

 ready to go, when a heartrending cry woke the inner- 

 most caverns of the hive. He staggered a little, for 

 he knew its meaning. I stood puzzled and amazed. 



" What is it?" I begged of him. 



"The worst of news our Queen is dead!" he echoed. 



"Let us go to her at once." 



In we went, and while I was shaken by the news 

 which I did not fully comprehend, I was sobered and 

 silent. I should probably have had no thought of 

 death at all had I known what lay before us, the mid- 

 night ways we were to tread. 



