Dispute with a Peacock Butterfly. 45 



"Which is more than some people do," retorted 

 Buz. 



" In here I think a good deal," continued the snail. 

 " I was once imprisoned in a rock for over a hundred 

 years ; I thought a good deal then." 



Buz didn't know what to say, and even the butter- 

 fly made no remark ; the voice was so very solemn, 

 and also she felt that the snail wouldn't have cared 

 for any words of hers. The latter soon continued — 



" I once considered the subject of your late con- 

 versation (of which, I must tell you, I heard every 

 word) for fifty years at a stretch." 



"Did you get a headache after it?" the butterfly 

 couldn't help asking. But the snail didn't seem to 

 hear her, and Buz took no notice whatever of the 

 question. 



"And as," said the snail, "you were both totally 

 wrong in the conclusions to which you came, I shall 

 just put you right. You bee," he continued — sud- 

 denly shooting out the horn nearest to Buz, and 

 keeping it pointed toward her — "seem to despise the 

 butterfly for not working, or taking any care for the 

 future, and for leading a vain and useless life, as you 

 call it. Don't despise the butterfly. And you but- 

 terfly " — here he shot out his other horn, and pointed 

 it at the insect he addressed — " appear to pity the 



