8 Buz. 



she passed. " Good again, old mate ! " and then, 

 turning to Buz and Hum, she added — 



" That bee came out of the cell next to mine, and 

 we were born almost at the same time, so we take 

 an interest in each other." 



" Only an interest ? " inquired Buz. " I should 

 have thought you were great friends, like Hum and 

 I mean to be ; eh, Hum ? " 



Hum touched Buz with her antennae in a friendly 

 way. 



" There isn't much time to be great friends here," 

 answered the fanner ; " we are always so busy, 

 except in the winter, and then we are too sleepy to 

 be very affectionate. Besides, we give all our love 

 to the queen ; you haven't seen her yet, I suppose? 

 Wait till you do — you'll find it's just as I tell you. 

 Now then ! Where are you going ? Look out, 

 there! Help! Intruder! Intruder!" 



As she spoke, the fanner made at a bee who had 

 just alighted, and was passing in. She was joined 

 by several others, and they were about to seize the 

 intruder, who, however, discovered the mistake, and 

 flew off just in time. 



" What was all that about ? " asked Buz, as the 

 fanner returned. 



" A bee from some other hive was trying to get 



