86 Biis. 



heard several bees say they intended to knock off 

 work." 



"After all," she continued, " why should we take 

 any more trouble. We had nearly made honey 

 enough to carry us through the winter, and now we 

 shall not want so much, in consequence of that 

 swarm having gone off." 



" Exactly so," replied Buz ; " we have enough, 

 and to spare. I don't mean to say," she continued, 

 after a pause, " that I intend to do nothing at all — 

 that wouldn't suit me ; but I do not mean to hurry 

 up. I've worked pretty well all through the summer, 

 though I say it myself, and made honey enough to 

 support half a dozen drones. By the by, talking of 

 drones, why slioiild I make honey for those lazy 

 fellows ? " 



"Can't say," replied her friend ; " I don't see the 

 fun of it myself. But, do you know,'' she continued, 

 sinking her voice, " I hear they are not likely to eat 

 much more honey in our hive." 



" What do you mean ?" asked Buz. " The stupid 

 great things are always hungry. ' The less I do, 

 the more I want,' seems, in fact, to be their motto." 



" Well, what I tell you is quite between ourselves, 

 of course," said her friend ; " but, mark my words 

 — we shall get rid of them, and that before long." 



