Swarming. 59 



all the nods and whispers ; but at the time, I sup- 

 pose, it makes a person seem important ; and I 

 caught myself nodding mysteriously, and whispering 

 too : very silly of me, to be sure ! " 



" Why, yes," said Buz. " I wish you had laughed 

 at her, or, at any rate, pretended not to understand ; 

 but it can't be helped. What's the news this morn- 

 ing?" 



" Nothing has actually happened yet, but the 

 queen gets more restless every moment, and an old 

 bee — one who has been in a swarm already — told me 

 that she quite expected she would leave the hive to- 

 day. I know I can't settle down to any thing. It's 

 wretched work ! " 



" Come along," said Buz ; " I want to be near the 

 queen, and watch her." 



The two friends were separated before they 

 reached the royal presence, for great numbers of 

 bees were crowding round. Buz soon pushed her 

 way into a good place, and, just as she got there she 

 heard the queen say to herself, " I've a very good 

 mind to do it. Is it fine?" she asked, turning to 

 her attendants. 



" It is, your majesty," answered several. 



" A very good mind," continued the queen to her- 

 self ; " my family is becoming inconveniently large. 



