26 
UNDER THE PLANTAIN LEAF 
“In order to do that I must ask 
you a few questions.” 
“Oh,” exclaimed the other two, 
“that is a different matter. It is 
far easier to ask questions than it is 
to answer them.” 
“ So, it is, sometimes,” the ant 
agreed; “but I shall ask you those 
that are very easy. In the first 
place, Miss Wasp, how many con¬ 
ditions or stages of growth have 
you in your family?” 
“You mean by that, I suppose, 
how many times do we change our 
shape and general appearance?” 
“Exactly.” 
“Well, the answer to that is easy 
enough. We change four times; that 
is, if you count the egg.” 
