256 THE LORE OF THE HONEY-BEE 
was a living history-book, where all men might 
read the common drift and outcome of life; and as 
a record of the hive’s story, a living archive for 
its plans, its systems, its ideals, the mother-bee 
may exist to-day—she who, in comparison with its 
ever coming and going thousands, is an age-old, 
imperishable thing. 
And so you may think of her, in the short days 
of December twilight, or in the interminable night- 
darkness full of the raging of the winter wind, 
gathering her children about her, and telling them 
tales of their forbears’ prowess ; teaching them old 
bee-songs which have but the one refrain of work 
and winning ; and never forgetting her own little 
story—of the one brief hour of her love-flight and 
marriage, bought and paid for by widowhood 
lasting her whole life. 
