The Life of the Bee 
path that is traced in their life by an 
intellect nothing can thwart or turn from 
its purpose, by a spirit whose aim is 
always the good of the morrow — on this 
day man can approach them, can divide 
the glittering curtain they form as they 
fly round and round in songful circles; 
he can take them up in his hand, and 
gather them as he would a bunch of 
grapes; for to-day, in their gladness, 
possessing nothing, but full of faith in 
the future, they will submit to everything 
and injure no one, provided only they be 
not separated from the queen who bears 
that future within her. 
[25 ] 
But the veritable signal has not yet 
been given. In the hive there is in- 
describable confusion ; and a disorder 
whose meaning escapes us. At ordinary 
times each bee, once returned to her 
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