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. 



