Discontented Whispers. 95 



" I can, but I won't," replied the other. 



" Do you suppose I care for you ? " cried the 

 drone. " I want some honey, and I mean to have it." 



" Then take it from a cell already opened," 

 answered the working bee, " and don't break into a 

 new comb." 



" I shall take it, " said the drone deliberately, 

 " from any comb and from any cell I choose." 



" If you can," retorted the other. 



" Who's to prevent me, I should like to know ? " 



" I, for one." 



"You, indeed ! " cried the drone angrily. " How 

 dare you talk in that saucy way to one of the queen's 

 husbands." 



"Queen's fiddlesticks !" replied the other con- 

 temptuously. " The queen does not want a lot of 

 idle, good-for-nothing fellows like you loitering 

 about the hive, I can tell you. Go and ask her." 



" No, I shall not," replied the drone sulkily. 



" I knew you wouldn't ; you dare not go near her ; 

 she never takes any notice of you now, and is tired 

 of your idle habits, as indeed we all are." 



Here there was a hum of approval from a small 

 crowd of workers, who had collected as the dispute 

 went on. 



" Well, I don't care," said the drone. " I'm tired 



