Swarming. 53 



she kept as quiet as possible ; and he was much too 

 lazy and indifferent to notice what an effort this was 

 to her. 



" By the row that's going on," remarked the 

 drone, " I should say this would be a big swarm." 



" A swarm ! " exclaimed Buz ; "then that's what 

 swarming is ! " 



" A horrid noise, a hopeless confusion, a dreadful 

 fuss, and an intolerable bustle — that's what swarming 

 is," repeated the drone disdainfully. " I shall cer- 

 tainly be glad to have the hive more empty," he 

 went on to himself ; " but why can't they go away 

 quietly, and swarm one by one, I should like to 

 know?" 



" Do none of the drones intend to join the 

 swarm?" 



" Hundreds will, no doubt ; I shan't." 



" Will you tell me, please," asked Buz, " how you 

 will get on here without a queen?" 



"You ask such stupid questions," said the drone. 

 " You don't think ; you're in such a hurry — that's it." 



" How is mine a stupid question? " 



" Do you mean to tell me that you have never 

 passed the royal nurseries ? Do you mean to say 

 that you have never heard of royal food ? Do you 

 wish me to understand that you have never been 



