8o Buz. 



" And what may that be ? " 



" Why, the house in which we were taken when 

 we swarmed." 



" Taken ! " cried the wild bee. " Ah ! I begin to 

 understand : I've heard of that sort of thing before ; 

 then you're a slave bee, I suppose? " 



"You're a rude bee, I'm sure," retorted Buz. 



"Am I ? I only mean, that the honey you make 

 is not for yourselves, but for whoever shook you into 

 the hive you seem so proud of." 



"I should just like to see anyone taking our 

 honey," said Buz. " Whoever came to do it, would 

 have to be very fond of honey, or care very little 

 about stings." 



" That sounds fine," replied the wild bee ; "but I 

 have heard some curious stories. Let me advise you 

 to make a few inquiries when you return. I may be 

 wrong, of course ; but then, you know, I may be 

 right." 



" I don't mind asking about it," returned Buz ; 

 " but you must be wrong." 



" Why so ? " asked the wild bee. 



" Because, if what you say is true, it is ridiculous 

 to suppose that any bees would live as we do now. 

 We should fly right away, of course, and even put up 

 with a hollow tree, perhaps." 



