24 
UNDER THE PLANTAIN LEAF 
ant with unusual sharpness, “do not 
be disagreeable, or we shall begin 
to think that there is some reason 
for your bad reputation.” 
“Oh, no offense is intended, I am 
sure,” apologized the wasp, readily. 
“I was only a bit surprised to hear 
the wise bee own up to her ignorance.” 
“I suppose you thought she was 
like some humans that I have heard 
about, who will never ask questions 
for fear of showing that they do not 
know everything, and so their store 
of information is never increased, 
and they live and die in ignor¬ 
ance. Miss Bee is, as you say, wise, 
too wise to pretend that she knows 
everything, and so she will continue 
to grow wiser every day. 
