72 
UNDER THE PLANTAIN LEAF 
while you were forced to remain 
here resting ? ” 
“Yes, yes,” returned the bee, “but 
you see—” 
“And,” interrupted the wasp, 
“would not the time have seemed 
much longer if we had not been 
here, so that you might have flown 
away before your wing was quite 
well, and thus have lost the use of 
it, perhaps forever?” 
“Yes, that is all very true, but, 
you see, I must do my duty.” 
“But is it not your duty to keep 
your promises?” 
“ Of course it is, but you cannot 
say that I made any promises.” 
“Perhaps not in so many words,” 
said the ant, “but you must admit, 
