8o 



"But why?" cried Nipper rebelliously. "Why 

 must we do all that ? " 



" Because " began her friend ; but they were 



interrupted by a sturdy, important-looking black ant 

 who joined them for a moment. " What's this ? " 

 she cried in a severe voice. " Idling in work hours ? 

 Away with you both. There is too much to 

 be done for any such wasting of time." 



" Come," whispered Nipper's friend, turning 

 away, " we must go back now, but to-night after 

 working hours I'll tell you all about it. And few 

 can tell you more than I," she added with a 

 sigh. 



All day long Nipper was hard at work with the 

 others. The only rest was when they stopped for 

 something to eat. 



Nipper was pleased to find herself beside her 

 friend at this hastily eaten meal, but they had no 

 time to talk until late that evening when everything 

 was tidy and in order, and the bands of toilers 

 were preparing for their night's rest. 



" And now," said Nipper eagerly, settling down 

 beside her black friend, whose name proved to be 

 Riddler, " now tell me how I came here, and how 

 it is that there is so much difference between us and 



