386 THE ROLL OF THE SEASONS 



so sweet in life that they were like the holy ones 

 who see not corruption. Their bodies did not even 

 stiffen ; under the microscope they were always like 

 newly killed insects. We had a sneaking belief that 

 in the sunshine of spring they would revive and take 

 up their work again like young bees. 



Those who keep vigil in the hive are always awake. 

 A few are more awake than the others, some to 

 broach the honey-cells and feed the others, which 

 take the nourishment almost automatically, some to 

 keep the hive clean, others to fan a little when the 

 state of ventilation demands it. Some say that the 

 queen is the most alive member of the community, 

 and even that she keeps the others awake. We have 

 not found it so. Her serenity seems at least equal to 

 that of her semi-sisters. But in this respect, no 

 doubt, there are personal differences. An old queen 

 may have a St. Vitus-like fidgetiness, constantly 

 peering into cells, as though about to begin laying. 

 The healthy queen forgets all about such things till 

 the first bit of outside pollen or the pea-flour substitute 

 of the artful bee-master bids her once more be fruitful 

 and multiply. 



