84 Buz. 



knocking about ; let the youngsters do the 

 swarming." 



But although she was inclined to be patronizing 

 toward the "youngsters," she could not help feeling 

 surprised at her disinclination for change and excite- 

 ment ; she was even a little sorry for herself. 



The fact is, she had become a middle-aged bee, 

 and was beginning to go down the hill — a fact which 

 it is not always pleasant to look in the face. 



And now the queen became more excited than 

 ever, and sometimes attempted to tear open the 

 royal cells and kill the poor little princesses. She 

 was prevented from doing so by the royal nurses, 

 who were respectful, but very firm. 



" Though it's a tremendous thing, mind you," 

 said one nurse to the other, " to find oneself tackling 

 the queen herself, and preventing her from doing 

 what she likes." 



" It certainly is," said the other ; " but she knows 

 it is only our duty." 



Opinions in the hive began to differ as to whether 

 it would be better to let the queen kill the young 

 ones, or to send off a swarm. Some thought it was 

 too late in the year ; others declared that any thing 

 would be better than being so crowded. 



A particularly hot day settled the question, and 



