A FAMILIAR GUEST U 



nored." So I concluded this time to observe 

 her progress carefully. In a moment she had 

 reached the right-hand edge of my easel -board, 

 from which she made a short flight, and settled 

 upon a large table in the centre of the room, lit- 

 tered with its characteristic chaos of profession- 

 al paraphernalia— brushes, paints, dishes, bottles, 

 color-boxes, and cloths — among which she disap- 

 peared. It was a hopeless task to disclose her, so 

 I waited patiently to observe the spot from which 

 she would emerge, assuming that this, like the 

 window-sill and my easel, was a mere way-station 

 on her homeward travels. But she failed to ap- 

 pear, while I busied my wits in trying to recall 

 which particular item in the collection had a hole 

 in it. Yes, there was a spool among other odds 

 and ends in a Japanese boat-basket. That must 

 be it I But on examination the paper still cov- 

 ered both ends, and I was again at a loss. What, 

 then, can be the attraction on my table? My 

 wondering curiosity was immediately satisfied, for 

 as I turned back to the board and resumed my 

 work I soon discovered another wasp, with its 

 caterpillar freight, on the drawing-board. After 

 a moment's pause she made a quiet short flight 

 towards the table, and what was my astonishment 

 to observe her alight directly upon the tip of the 



