CHAPTER V. 
THE WASPS : THEIR FURY OF IMPROVISATION. 
When the wasp on a summer’s day enters at the win¬ 
dow, with its loud, aggressive, and menacing zou ! zou ! 
zou ! everybody is on his guard. The child trembles, 
the mother suspends her work, even the husband lifts 
his eyes: “Insolent, impudent intruder!” and he arms 
himself with a handkerchief. 
Meanwhile, the superb insect, having flown into 
every corner, and cast around the room a rapid and 
scornful glance, departs with a loud noise, not conde¬ 
scending to notice the unfriendly welcome accorded to 
him. His only reflection has been this: “ A paltry 
house ! Not a fruit, not a spider, not a fly, not the 
smallest bit of meat!” 
Then he makes a descent on the shop of the country butcher: 
