First Flights— Narrow Escape. 27 



" Well, I declare ! " she said aloud, as she raised 

 her head at last in disgust, " it's perfectly dry ! " 



At this the flower gave a low silvery laugh, and 

 shook a little on its stalk. 



" Dry ! " it repeated ; " I should rather think I 

 was ; sucked as dry as a brick, half an hour ago." 



" Indeed ! " said Buz. 



" Yes, my dear, indeed," repeated the flower 

 cheerily; '' and so many bees besides yourself have 

 been sold this morning, that it's really quite ridic- 

 ulous ! I suppose you're a young bee, eh ?" 



" Well, rather," answered Buz. " Why?" 



" You see, you young things always will pick out 

 the biggest and tallest of us, and will waste your 

 time in trying us all over, quite forgetting that 

 others before you have most likely been attracted 

 by just the same qualities that you admire yourself. 

 Now let me give you a bit of advice." 



" More advice," thought Buz to herself. " Oh 

 dear ! " However, she said politely enough that 

 she would be glad to have it. 



" Then," said the flower, " pick out the blossoms 

 that are most hidden and most out of the way. 

 Flowers that are really almost troublesome to get at 

 are generally worth trying : you will find this the 

 case nearly always ; and remember also, that if the 



