第4章
IwishIhadthoughtofitbefore。
Mychiefcameback，allbrownwithlivingintheopenair，andveryangryatfindingitsohotintheplains。ThatsameafternoonwethreeandKadirBukshbegantopackforourmonth"sholiday，Vixenrollinginandoutofthebullock-trunktwentytimesaminute，andGarmgrinningalloverandthumpingonthefloorwithhistail。Vixenknewtheroutineoftravellingaswellassheknewmyoffice-work。Shewenttothestation，singingsongs，onthefrontseatofthecarriage，whileGarinsatwithme。Shehurriedintotherailwaycarriage，sawKadirBukshmakeupmybedforthenight，gotherdrinkofwater，andcurledupwithherblack-patcheyeonthetumultoftheplatform。Garinfollowedher(thecrowdgavehimalanealltohimself)andsatdownonthepillowswithhiseyesblazing，andhistailahazebehindhim。
WecametoUmballainthehotmistydawn，fourorfivemen，whohadbeenworkinghardfoxelevenmonths，shoutingforourdales——thetwo-horsetravellingcarriagesthatweretotakeusuptoKalkaatthefootoftheHills。ItwasallnewtoGarm。Hedidnotunderstandcarriageswhereyoulayatfulllengthonyourbedding，butVixenknewandhoppedintoherplaceatonce；Garinfollowing。TheKalkaRoad，beforetherailwaywasbuilt，wasaboutforty-sevenmileslong，andthehorseswerechangedeveryeightmiles。Mostofthemjibbed，andkicked，andplunged，buttheyhadtogo，andtheywentratherbetterthanusualforGarm"sdeepbayintheirrear。
Therewasarivertobeforded，andfourbullockspulledthecarriage，andVixenstuckherheadoutofthesliding-doorandnearlyfellintothewaterwhileshegavedirections。Garinwassilentandcurious，andratherneededreassuringaboutStanleyandKasauli。Sowerolled，barkingandyelping，intoKalkaforlunch，andGarmateenoughfortwo。
AfterKalkatheroadwoundamongthehills，andwetookacurriclewithhalf-brokenponies，whichwerechangedeverysixmiles。NoonedreamedofarailroadtoSimlainthosedays，foritwasseventhousandfeetupintheair。Theroadwasmorethanfiftymileslong，andtheregulationpacewasjustasfastastheponiescouldgo。Here，again，VixenledGarmfromonecarriagetotheother；jumpedintothebackseat，andshouted。AcoolbreathfromthesnowsmetusaboutfivemilesoutofKalka，andshewhinedforhercoat，wiselyfearingachillontheliver。IhadhadonemadeforGarmtoo，and，asweclimbedtothefreshbreezes，Iputiton，andarmchewedituncomprehendingly，butI
thinkhewasgrateful。
"Hi-yi-yi-yi!"sangVixenasweshotroundthecurves；
"Toot-toot-toot!"wentthedriver"sbugleatthedangerousplaces，and"yow!yow!"bayedGarm。KadirBukshsatonthefrontseatandsmiled。EvenhewasgladtogetawayfromtheheatofthePlainsthatstewedinthehazebehindus。Nowandthenwewouldmeetamanweknewgoingdowntohisworkagain，andhewouldsay:"What"sitlikebelow？"andIwouldshout:"Hotterthancinders。What"sitlikeupabove？"andhewouldshoutback:
"Justperfect!"andawaywewouldgo。
SuddenlyKadirBukshsaid，overhisshoulder:"HereisSolon"；
andGarmsnoredwherehelaywithhisheadonmyknee。Solonisanunpleasantlittlecantonment，butithastheadvantageofbeingcoolandhealthy。Itisallbareandwindy，andonegenerallystopsatarest-housenearbyforsomethingtoeat。I
gotoutandtookbothdogswithme，whileKadirBukshmadetea。A
soldiertold，usweshouldfindStanley"outthere，"noddinghisheadtowardsabare，bleakhill。
WhenweclimbedtothetopwespiedthatveryStanley，whohadgivenmeallthistrouble，sittingonarockwithhisfaceinhishands，andhisovercoathanginglooseabouthim。Ineversawanythingsolonelyanddejectedinmylifeasthisonelittleman，crumpledupandthinking，onthegreatgrayhillside。
HereGarmleftme。
Hedepartedwithoutaword，and，sofarasIcouldsee，withoutmovinghislegs。Heflewthroughtheairbodily，andIheardthewhackofhimasheflunghimselfatStanley，knockingthelittlemancleanover。Theyrolledonthegroundtogether，shouting，andyelping，andhugging。Icouldnotseewhichwasdogandwhichwasman，tillStanleygotupandwhimpered。
Hetoldmethathehadbeensufferingfromfeveratintervals，andwasveryweak。Helookedallhesaid，butevenwhileI
watched，bothmananddogplumpedouttotheirnaturalsizes，preciselyasdriedapplesswellinwater。Garinwasonhisshoulder，andhisbreastandfeetallatthesametime，sothatStanleyspokeallthroughacloudofGarin——gulping，sobbing，slaveringGarm。HedidnotsayanythingthatIcouldunderstand，exceptthathehadfanciedhewasgoingtodie，butthatnowhewasquitewell，andthathewasnotgoingtogiveupGarinanymoretoanybodyundertherankofBeelzebub。
Thenhesaidhefelthungry，andthirsty，andhappy。
Wewentdowntoteaattherest-house，whereStanleystuffedhimselfwithsardinesandraspberryjam，andbeer，andcoldmuttonandpickles，whenGarmwasn"tclimbingoverhim；andthenVixenandIwenton。
Garmsawhowitwasatonce。Hesaidgood-byetomethreetimes，givingmebothpawsoneafteranother，andleapingontomyshoulder。Hefurtherescortedus，singingHosannasatthetopofhisvoice，amiledowntheroad。Thenheracedbacktohisownmaster。
Vixenneveropenedhermouth，butwhenthecoldtwilightcame，andwecouldseethelightsofSimlaacrossthehills，shesnuffledwithhernoseatthebreastofmyulster。Iunbuttonedit，andtuckedherinside。Thenshegaveacontentedlittlesniff，andfellfastasleep，herheadonmybreast，tillwebundledoutatSimla，twoofthefourhappiestpeopleinalltheworldthatnight。
THEPOWEROFTHEDOG
ThereissorrowenoughinthenaturalwayFrommenandwomentofillourday；
Butwhenwearecertainofsorrowinstore，Whydowealwaysarrangeformore？
Brothersandsisters，IbidyoubewareOfgivingyourhearttoadogtotear。
BuyapupandyourmoneywillbuyLoveunflinchingthatcannotlie——
PerfectpassionandworshipfedByakickintheribsorapatonthehead。
NeverthelessitishardlyfairToriskyourheartforadogtotear。
WhenthefourteenyearswhichNaturepermitsAreclosinginasthma，ortumour，orfits，Andthevet"sunspokenprescriptionrunsTolethalchambersorloadedguns，Thenyouwillfind——it"syourownaffairBut……you"vegivenyourhearttoadogtotear。
WhenthebodythatlivedatyoursinglewillWhenthewhimperofwelcomeisstilled(howstill!)
WhenthespiritthatansweredyoureverymoodIsgonewhereveritgoes——forgood，Youwilldiscoverhowmuchyoucare，Andwillgiveyourhearttoadogtotear!
We"vesorrowenoughinthenaturalway，WhenitcomestoburyingChristianclay。
Ourlovesarenotgiven，butonlylent，Atcompoundinterestofcentpercent。
Thoughitisnotalwaysthecase，Ibelieve，Thatthelongerwe"vekept"em，themoredowegrieve:
For，whendebtsarepayable，rightorwrong，Ashort-timeloanisasbadasalongSowhyinHeaven(beforewearethere!)
Shouldwegiveourheartstoadogtotear？
THEMOTHERHIVE
Ifthestockhadnotbeenoldandovercrowded，theWax-mothwouldneverhaveentered；butwherebeesaretoothickonthecombtheremustbesicknessorparasites。TheheatofthehivehadrisenwiththeJunehoney-flow，andthoughthefarmersworked，untiltheirwingsached，tokeeppeoplecool，everybodysuffered。
Ayoungbeecrawledupthegreasytrampledalighting-board。
"Excuseme，"shebegan，"butit"smyfirsthoney-flight。Couldyoukindlytellmeifthisismy——"
"——ownhive？"theGuardsnapped。"Yes!Buzzin，andbefoul-broodedtoyou!Next!"
"Shame!"criedhalfadozenoldworkerswithwornwingsandnerves，andtherewasascuffleandahum。
ThelittlegreyWax-moth，pressedcloseinacrackinthealighting-board，hadwaitedthischanceallday。Shescuttledinlikeaghost，and，knowingtheseniorbeeswouldturnheroutatonce，dodgedintoabrood-frame，whereyoungsterswhohadnotyetseenthewindsblowortheflowersnoddiscussedlife。Hereshewassafe，foryoungbeeswilltolerateanysortofstranger。
BehindhercamethebeewhohadbeenslangedbytheGuard。
"Whatistheworldlike，Melissa？"saidacompanion。"Cruel!I
broughtinafullloadoffirst-classstuff，andtheGuardtoldmetogoandbefoul-brooded!"Shesatdowninthecooldraughtacrossthecombs。
"Ifyou"donlyheard，"saidtheWax-mothsilkily，"theinsolenceoftheGuard"stonewhenshecursedoursister。ItarousedtheEntireCommunity。"Shelaidanegg。Shehadstoleninforthatpurpose。
"TherewasabitofafussontheGate，"Melissachuckled。"Youwerethere，Miss？"Shedidnotknowhowtoaddresstheslimstranger。
"Don"tcallme"Miss。"I"masistertoallinaffliction——justaworking-sister。Myheartbledforyoubeneathyourburden。"TheWax-mothcaressedMelissawithhersoftfeelersandlaidanotheregg。
"Youmustn"tlayhere，"criedMelissa。"Youaren"taQueen。"
"Mydearchild，Igiveyoumymostsolemnwordofhonourthosearen"teggs。Thosearemyprinciples，andIamreadytodieforthem。"Sheraisedhervoicealittleabovetherustleandtramproundher。"Ifyou"dliketokillme，praydo。"
"Don"tbeunkind，Melissa，"saidayoungbee，impressedbythechastefoldsoftheWax-moth"swing，whichhidherceaselessegg-dropping。
"Ihaven"tdoneanything，"Melissaanswered。"She"sdoingitall。"
"Ah，don"tletyourconsciencereproachyoulater，butwhenyou"vekilledme，writeme，atleast，asonethatlovedherfellow-worker。"
Layingateverysob，theWax-mothbackedintoacrowdofyoungbees，andleftMelissabewilderedandannoyed。Sosheliftedupherlittlevoiceinthedarknessandcried，"Stores!"tillagangofcell-fillershailedher，andsheleftherloadwiththem。
"I"mafraidIfoul-broodedyoujustnow，"saidavoiceoverhershoulder。"I"dbeenontheGateforthreehours，andonewouldfoul-broodtheQueenherselfafterthat。Nooffencemeant。"
"Nonetaken，"Melissaansweredcheerily。"IshallbeonGuardmyself，someday。What"snexttodo？"
"There"sarumourofDeath"sHeadMothsabout。SendagangofyoungsterstotheGate，andtellthemtonarrowitinwithacoupleofstoutscrap-waxpillars。It"llmaketheHivehot，butwecan"thaveDeath"sHeadersinthemiddleofourhoney-flow。"
"MyOnlyWings!Ishouldthinknot!"Melissahadallasoundbee"shereditaryhatredagainstthebig，squeaking，featheryThiefoftheHives。"Tumbleout!"shecalledacrosstheyoungsters"quarters。"Allyouwhoaren"tfeedingbabies，showaleg。Scrap-waxpillarsfortheGa-ate!"Shechantedtheorderatlength。
"That"snonsense，"adowny，day-oldbeeanswered。"Inthefirstplace，IneverheardofaDeath"sHeadercomingintoahive。
Peopledon"tdosuchthings。Inthesecond，buildingpillarstokeep"emoutispurelyaCypriotetrick，unworthyofBritishbees。Inthethird，ifyoutrustaDeath"sHead，hewilltrustyou。Pillar-buildingshowslackofconfidence。Ourdearsisteringreysaysso。"
"Yes。Pillarsareun-Englishandprovocative，andawasteofwaxthatisneededforhigherandmorepracticalends，"saidtheWax-mothfromanemptystore-cell。
"ThesafetyoftheHiveisthehighestthingI"veeverheardof。
Youmustn"tteachustorefusework，"Melissabegan。
"Youmisunderstandme，asusual，love。Work"stheessenceoflife；buttoexpendpreciousunreturningvitalityandreallabouragainstimaginarydanger，thatisheartbreakinglyabsurd!IfI
canonlyteacha——alittletoleration——alittleordinarykindnessheretowardthatabsurdoldbogeyyoucalltheDeath"sHeader，I
shan"thavelivedinvain。"
"Shehasn"tlivedinvain，thedarling!"criedtwentybeestogether。"Youshouldseehersaintlylife，Melissa!Shejustdevotesherselftospreadingherprinciples，and——and——shelookslovely!"
Anold，baldishbeecameupthecomb。
"Pillar-workersfortheGate!Getoutandchewscraps。Buzzoff!"
shesaid。TheWax-mothslippedaside。
Theyoungbeestroopeddowntheframe，whispering。"What"sthematterwith"em？"saidtheoldster。"Whydotheycalleachother"ducky"and"darling"？Mustbetheweather。"Shesniffedsuspiciously。"Horridstuffysmellhere。Likestalequilts。NotWax-moth，Ihope，Melissa？"
"Nottomyknowledge，"saidMelissa，who，ofcourse，onlyknewtheWax-mothasaladywithprinciples，andhadneverthoughttoreportherpresence。ShehadalwaysimaginedWax-mothstobelikeblood-reddragon-flies。
"Youhadbetterfanoutthiscornerforalittle，"saidtheoldbeeandpassedon。Melissadroppedherheadatonce，tookfirmholdwithherfore-feet，andfannedobedientlyattheregulationstrokethreehundredbeatstothesecond。Fanningtriesabee"stemper，becauseshemustalwayskeepinthesameplacewheresheneverseemstobedoinganygood，and，allthewhile，sheiswearingoutheronlywings。Whenabeecannotfly，abeemustnotlive；andabeeknowsit。TheWax-mothcreptforth，andcaressedMelissaagain。
"Isee，"shemurmured，"thatatheartyouareoneofUs。"
"IworkwiththeHive，"Melissaansweredbriefly。
"It"sthesamething。WeandtheHiveareone。"
"Thenwhyareyourfeelersdifferentfromours？Don"tcuddleso。"
"Don"tbeprovincial，Carissima。Youcan"thavealltheworldalike——yet。"
"Butwhydoyoulayeggs？"Melissainsisted。"Youlay"emlikeaQueen——onlyyoudroptheminpatchesallovertheplace。I"vewatchedyou。"
"Ah，Brighteyes，soyou"vepiercedmylittlesubterfuge？Yes，theyareeggs。Byandbythey"llspreadourprinciples。Aren"tyouglad？"
"Yougavemeyourmostsolemnwordofhonourthattheywerenoteggs。"
"Thatwasmylittlesubterfuge，dearest——forthesakeoftheCause。NowImustreachtheyoung。"TheWax-mothtrippedtowardsthefourthbrood-framewheretheyoungbeeswerebusyfeedingthebabies。
Ittakessometimeforasoundbeetorealizeamalignantandcontinuouslie。"She"sverysweetandfeathery，"wasallthatMelissathought，"buthertalksoundslikeivyhoneytastes。I"dbettergettomyfield-workagain。"
ShefoundtheGateinasulkyuproar。Theyoungsterstoldofftothepillarshadrefusedtochewscrap-waxbecauseitmadetheirjawsache，andwereclamouringforvirginstuff。
"Anythingtofinishthejob!"saidthebadgeredGuards。"Hangup，someofyou，andmakewaxfortheseslack-jawedsisters。"
Beforeabeecanmakewaxshemustfillherselfwithhoney。Thensheclimbstosafefootholdandhangs，whileothergorgedbeeshangontoherinacluster。Theretheywaitinsilencetillthewaxcomes。Thescalesareeithertakenoutofthemaker"spocketsbytheworkers，ortinkledownontheworkerswhiletheywait。
Theworkerschewthem(theyareuselessunchewed)intotheall-supporting，all-embracingWaxoftheHive。
Butnow，nosoonerwasthewax-clusterinpositionthantheworkersbelowbrokeoutagain。
"Comedown!"theycried。"Comedownandwork!Comeon，youLevantineparasites!Don"tthinktoenjoyyourselvesuptherewhilewe"resweatingdownhere!"
Theclustershivered，asfromhookedfore-foottohookedhind-footittelegrapheduneasiness。Atlastaworkersprangup，grabbedthelowestwaxmaker，andswung，kickingabovehercompanions。
"Icanmakewaxtoo!"shebawled。"GivemeafullgorgeandI"llmaketonsofit。"
"Makeit，then，"saidthebeeshehadgrappled。Thespokenwordsnappedthecurrentthroughthecluster。Itshookandglistenedlikeacat"sfurinthedark。"Unhook!"itmurmured。"Nowaxforanyoneto-day。"
"Youlazythieves!Hangupatonceandproduceourwax，"saidthebeesbelow。
"Impossible!Thesweat"sgone。Tomakeyourwaxwemusthavestillness，warmth，andfood。Unhook!Unhook!"
Theybrokeupastheymurmured，anddisappearedamongtheotherbees，fromwhom，ofcourse，theywereundistinguishable。
"Seemsasifwe"dhavetochewscrap-waxforthesepillars，afterall，"saidaworker。
"Notbyawholecomb，"criedtheyoungbeewhohadbrokenthecluster。"Listenhere!I"vestudiedthequestionmorethantwentyminutes。It"sassimpleasfallingoffadaisy。You"veheardofCheshire，RootandLangstroth？"
Theyhadnot，buttheyshouted"GoodoldLangstroth!"justthesame。
"Thosethreeknowallthatthereistobeknownaboutmakinghives。Oneort"otherof"emmusthavemadeours，andifthey"vemadeit，they"reboundtolookafterit。Oursisa"GuaranteedPatentHive。"Youcanseeitonthelabelbehind。"
"Goodoldguarantee!Hurrahforthelabelbehind!"roaredthebees。
"Well，suchbeingthecase，Isaythatwhenwefindthey"vebetrayedus，wecanexactfromthematerriblevengeance。"
"Goodoldvengeance!GoodoldRoot!"Nuffsaid!Chuckit!"ThecrowdcheeredandbrokeawayasMelissadivedthrough。
"D"youknowwhereLangstroth，RootandCheshire，liveifyouhappentowantem？sheaskedoftheproudpantingorator。
"GummeifIknowtheyeverlivedatall!Butaren"ttheybeautifulnamestobuzzabout？Didyouseehowitworkedupthesisterhood？"
"Yes；butitdidn"tdefendtheGate，"shereplied。
"Ah，perhapsthat"strue，butthinkhowdelicatemypositionis，sister。I"veamagnificentappetite，andIdon"tlikeworking。
It"sbadforthemind。MyinstincttellsmethatIcanactasarestraininginfluenceonothers。Theywouldhavebeenworse，butforme。"
ButMelissahadalreadyrisenclear，andwasheadingforabreadthofvirginwhiteclover，whichtoanovertiredbeeisassoothingasplainknittingtoawoman。
"IthinkI"lltakethisloadtothenurseries，"shesaid，whenshehadfinished。"Itwasalwaysquietthereinmyday，"andshetoppedoffwithtwolittlepatsofpollenforthebabies。
Shewasmetonthefourthbrood-combbyarushofexcitedsistersallbuzzingtogether。
"Oneatatime!Letmeputdownmyload。Now，whatisitSacharissa？"shesaid。
"GreySister——thatfluffyone，Imean——shecameandsaidweoughttobeoutinthesunshinegatheringhoney，becauselifewasshort。Shesaidanyoldbeecouldattendtoourbabies，andsomedayoldbeeswould。Thatisn"ttrue，Melissa，isit？Nooldbeescantakeusawayfromourbabies，canthey？"
"Ofcoursenot。Youfeedthebabieswhileyourheadsaresoft。
Whenyourheadsharden，yougoontofield-work。Anyoneknowsthat。"
"Wetoldherso!Wetoldherso；butsheonlywavedherfeelers，andsaidwecouldalllayeggslikeQueensifwechose。AndI"mafraidlotsoftheweakersistersbelieveher，andaretryingtodoit。Sounsettling!"
Sacharissaspedtoasealedworker-cellwhoselidpulsated，asthebeewithinbegantocutitswayout。
"Comealong，precious!"shemurmured，andthinnedthefrailtopfromtheotherside。Apale，damp，creasedthinghoisteditselffeeblyontothecomb。Sacharissa"snotechangedatonce。"Notimetowaste!Gouptheframeandpreenyourself!"shesaid。
"Reportfornursing-dutyinmywardto-morroweveningatsix。
Stopaminute。What"sthematterwithyourthirdrightleg？"
Theyoungbeehelditoutinsilence——unmistakablyadronelegincapableofpackingpollen。
"Thankyou。Youneedn"treporttillthedayafterto-morrow。"
Sacharissaturnedtohercompanion。"That"sthefifthoddityhatchedinmywardsincenoon。Idon"tlikeit。"
"There"salwaysacertainnumberof"em，"saidMelissa。"Youcan"tstopafewworkingsistersfromlaying，nowandthen，whentheyoverfeedthemselves。Theyonlyraisedwarfdrones。"
Butwe"rehatchingoutdroneswithworkers"stomachs；workerswithdrones"stomachs；andalbinoesandmixed-leggerswhocan"tpackpollen——likethatpoorlittlebeastyonder。Idon"tminddwarfdronesanymorethanyoudo(theyalldieinJuly)，butthissteadyhatchofodditiesfrightensme，Melissa!"
"Hownarrowofyou!Theyareallsodelightfullycleverandunusualandinteresting，"pipedtheWax-mothfromacrackabovethem。"Comehere，youdear，downyduck，andtellusallaboutyourfeelings。"
"Iwishshe"dgo!"Sacharissaloweredhervoice。"Shemeetsthese——er-odditiesastheydryout，andcuddles"emincorners。"
"Isupposethetruthisthatwe"reover-stockedandtoowellfedtoswarm，"saidMelissa。
"Thatisthetruth，"saidtheQueen"svoicebehindthem。Theyhadnotheardtheheavyroyalfootfallwhichsetsemptycellsvibrating。Sacharissaofferedherfoodatonce。Sheateanddraggedherwearybodyforward。"Canyousuggestaremedy？"shesaid。
"Newprinciples!"criedtheWax-mothfromhercrevice。"We"llapplythemquietlylater。"
"Supposewesentoutaswarm？"Melissasuggested。"It"salittlelate，butitmighteaseusoff。"
"Itwouldsaveus，but——IknowtheHive!Youshallseeforyourself。"TheoldQueencriedtheSwarmingCry，whichtoabeeofgoodbloodshouldbewhatthetrumpetwastoJob"swar-horse。
Inspiteofherimmenseage(three，years)，itrangbetweenthecanon-likeframesasapibrochringsinamountainpass；thefannerschangedtheirnote，andrepeateditupineverygallery；
andthebroad-wingeddrones，burlyandeager，endeditononenerve-thrillingoutbreakofbugles:"LaReineleveult!Swarm!
Swar-rm!Swar-r-rm!"
ButtheroarwhichshouldfollowtheCallwaswanting。Theyheardabrokengrumblelikethemurmurofafallingtide。
"Swarm？Whatfor？Catchmeleavingagoodbar-frameHive，withfixedfoundations，forarotten，oldoakoutintheopenwhereitmayrainanyminute!We"reallright!It"sa"PatentGuaranteedHive。"Whydotheywanttoturnusout？Swarmingbegummed!
Swarmingwasinventedtocheataworkeroutofherpropercomforts。Comeonofftobed!"
Thenoisediedoutasthebeessettledinemptycellsforthenight。
"Youhear？"saidtheQueen。"IknowtheHive!"
"Quitebetweenourselves，Itaughtthemthat，"criedtheWax-moth。"Waittillmyprinciplesdevelop，andyou"llseethelightfromanewquarter。"
"Youspeaktruthforonce，"theQueensaidsuddenly，forsherecognizedtheWax-moth。"ThatLightwillbreakintothetopoftheHive。AHotSmokewillfollowit，andyourchildrenwillnotbeabletohideinanycrevice。"
"Isitpossible？"Melissawhispered。"I-wehavesometimesheardalegendlikeit。"
"Itisnolegend，"theoldQueenanswered。"Ihaditfrommymother，andshehaditfromhers。AftertheWax-mothhasgrownstrong，aShadowwillfallacrossthegate；aVoicewillspeakfrombehindaVeil；therewillbeLight，andHotSmoke，andearthquakes，andthosewholivewillseeeverythingthattheyhavedone，alltogetherinoneplace，burnedupinonegreatfire。"TheoldQueenwastryingtotellwhatshehadbeentoldoftheBeeMaster"sdealingswithaninfectedhiveintheapiary，twoorthreeseasonsago；and，ofcourse，fromherpointofviewtheaffairwasasimportantastheDayofJudgment。
"Andthen？"askedhorrifiedSacharissa。
"Then，Ihaveheardthatalittlelightwillburninagreatdarkness，andperhapstheworldwillbeginagain。Myself，Ithinknot。"
"Tut!Tut!"theWax-mothcried。"Yougood，fatpeoplealwaysprophesyruinifthingsdon"tgoexactlyyourway。ButIgrantyoutherewillbechanges。"
Therewere。Whenhereggshatched，thewaxwasriddledwithlittletunnels，coatedwiththedirtyclothesofthecaterpillars。Flannellylinesranthroughthehoney-stores，thepollen-larders，thefoundations，and，worstofall，throughthebabiesintheircradles，tilltheSweeperGuardsspenthalftheirtimetossingoutuselesslittlecorpses。Thelinesendedinamazeofstickywebbingonthefaceofthecomb。Thecaterpillarscouldnotstopspinningastheywalked，andastheywalkedeverywhere，theysmarmedandgarmedeverything。Evenwhereitdidnothamperthebees"feet，thestale，soursmellofthestuffputthemofftheirwork；thoughsomeofthebeeswhohadtakentoegglayingsaiditencouragedthemtobemothersandmaintainavitalinterestinlife。
Whenthecaterpillarsbecamemoths，theymadefriendswiththeever-increasingOddities——albinoes，mixed-leggers，single-eyedcomposites，facelessdrones，halfqueensandlayingsisters；andtheever-dwindlingbandoftheoldstockworkedthemselvesbaldandfray-wingedtofeedtheirqueercharges。MostoftheOdditieswouldnot，andmany，onaccountoftheirmalformations，couldnot，gothroughaday"sfield-work；buttheWax-moths，whowerealwaysbusyonthebrood-comb，foundpleasanthomeoccupationsforthem。Onealbino，forinstance，dividedthenumberofpoundsofhoneyinstockbythenumberofbeesintheHive，andprovedthatifeverybeeonlygatheredhoneyforsevenandthreequarterminutesaday，shewouldhavetherestofthetimetoherself，andcouldaccompanythedronesontheirmatingflights。Thedroneswerenotatallpleased。
Another，aneyelessdronewithnofeelers，saidthatallbrood-cellsshouldbeperfectcircles，soasnottointerferewiththegrubortheworkers。Heprovedthattheoldsix-sidedcellwassolelyduetotheworkersbuildingagainsteachotheronoppositesidesofthewall，andthatiftherewerenointerference，therewouldbenoangles。Somebeestriedthenewplanforawhile，andfounditcosteighttimesmorewaxthantheoldsixsidedspecification；and，astheyneverallowedaclustertohangupandmakewaxinpeace，realwaxwasscarce。However，theyekedouttheirtaskwithvarnishstolenfromnewcoffinsatfunerals，anditmadethemrathersick。Thentheytooktocadgingroundsugar-factoriesandbreweries，becauseitwaseasiesttogettheirmaterialfromthoseplaces，andthemixtureofglucoseandbeernaturallyfermentedinstoreandblewthestore-cellsoutofshape，besidessmellingabominably。Someofthesoundbeeswarnedthemthatill-gottengainsneverprosper，buttheOdditiesatoncesurroundedthemandballedthemtodeath。Thatwasapunishmenttheywerealmostasfondofastheywereofeating，andtheyexpectedthesoundbeestofeedthem。Curiouslyenoughtheage-oldinstinctofloyaltyanddevotiontowardstheHivemadethesoundbeesdothis，thoughtheirreasontoldthemtheyoughttoslipawayandunitewithsomeotherhealthystockintheapiary。
"What，aboutsevenandthree-quarterminutes"worknow？"saidMelissaonedayasshecamein。"I"vebeenatitforfivehours，andI"veonlyhalfaload。"
"Oh，theHivesubsistsontheHivalHoneywhichtheHiveproduces，"saidablindOdditysquattinginastore-cell。
"Buthoneyisgatheredfromflowersoutsidetwomilesawaysometimes，"criedMelissa。
"Pardonme，"saidtheblindthing，suckinghard。"ButthisistheHive，isitnot？"
"Itwas。Worseluck，itis。"
"AndtheHivalHoneyishere，isitnot？"Itopenedafreshstore-celltoproveit。
"Ye-es，butitwon"tbelongatthisrate，"saidMelissa。
"Therateshavenothingtodowithit。ThisHiveproducestheHivalHoney。Youpeopleneverseemtograsptheeconomicsimplicitythatunderliesalllife。"
"Oh，me!"saidpoorMelissa，"haven"tyoueverbeenbeyondtheGate？"
"Certainlynot。Afool"seyesareintheendsoftheearth。Mineareinmyhead。"Itgorgedtillitbloated。
Melissatookrefugeinherpoorlypaidfield-workandtoldSacharissathestory。
"Hut!"saidthatwisebee，frettingwithanoldmaidofathistle。"Tellussomethingnew。TheHive"sfullofsuchashim——it，Imean。"
"What"stheendtobe？Allthehoneygoingoutandnonecomingin。Thingscan"tlastthisway!"saidMelissa。
"Whocares？"saidSacharissa。"Iknownowhowdronesfeelthedaybeforethey"rekilled。Ashortlifeandamerryoneforme。"
"Ifitonlyweremerry!Butthinkofthoseawful，solemn，lop-sidedOdditieswaitingforusathomecrawlingandclamberingandpreaching——anddirtyingthingsinthedark。"
"Idon"tmindthatsomuchastheirsillysongs，afterwe"vefed"em，allabout"workamongthemerry，merryblossoms，"saidSacharissafromthedeepsofastaleCanterburybell。
"Ido。How"sourQueen？"saidMelissa。
"Cheerfullyhopeless，asusual。Butshelaysaneggnowandthen。"
"Doessheso？"Melissabackedoutofthenextbellwithajerk。
"Supposenow，wesoundworkerstriedtoraiseaPrincessinsomecleancorner？"
"You"dbeputtoittofindone。TheHive"sallWax-mothandmuckings。But——well？"
"APrincessmighthelpusinthetimeoftheVoicebehindtheVeilthattheQueentalksof。AndanythingisbetterthanworkingforOdditiesthatchirrupaboutworkthattheycan"tdo，andwastewhatwebringhome。"
"Whocares？"saidSacharissa。"I"mwithyou，forthefunofit。
TheOdditieswouldballustodeath，iftheyknew。Comehome，andwe"llbegin。"
ThereisnoroomtotellhowtheexperiencedMelissafoundafar-offframesomessedandmishandledbyabandonedcell-buildingexperimentsthat，forveryshame，thebeesneverwentthere。HowinthatruinsheblockedoutaRoyalCellofsoundwax，butdisguisedbyrubbishtillitlookedlikeakopjeamongdesertedkopjes。HowsheprevaileduponthehopelessQueentomakeonelasteffortandlayaworthyegg。HowtheQueenobeyedanddied。
Howherspentcarcasswasflungoutontherubbishheap，andhowamultitudeoflayingsisterswentaboutdroppingdrone-eggswheretheylisted，andsaidtherewasnomoreneedofQueens。
How，coveredbythisconfusion，Sacharissaeducatedcertainyoungbeestoeducatecertainnew-bornbeesinthealmostlostartofmakingRoyalJelly。Howthenectarforitwaswonoutofhoursintheteethofchillwinds。Howthehiddenegghatchedtrue——nodrone，butBloodRoyal。Howitwascapped，andhowdesperatelytheyworkedtofeedanddouble-feedthenowswarmingOddities，lestanybreakinthefood-suppliesshouldsetthemtoinstitutinginquiries，which，withsongsaboutwork，wastheirfavouriteamusement。Howinanauspicioushour，onamoonlessnight，thePrincesscameforthaPrincessindeed，andhowMelissasmuggledherintoadarkemptyhoney-magazine，tobidehertime；
andhowthedrones，knowingshewasthere，wentaboutsingingthedeepdisreputablelove-songsoftheolddays——tothescandalofthelayingsisters，whodonotthinkwellofdrones。Thesethingsare，writtenintheBookofQueens，whichislaidupinthehollowoftheGreatAshYgdrasil。
Afterafewdaystheweatherchangedagainandbecameglorious。
EventheOdditieswouldnowjointhecrowdthathungoutonthealighting-board，andwouldsingofworkamongthemerry，merryblossomstillanuntrainedearmighthavereceiveditforthehumofaworkinghive。Yet，intruth，theirstore-honeyhadbeeneatenlongago。Theylivedfromdaytodayontheeffortsofthefewsoundbees，whiletheWax-mothfrettedandconsumedagaintheiralreadyruinedwax。Butthesoundbeesnevermentionedthesematters。Theyknew，iftheydid，theOdditieswouldholdameetingandballthemtodeath。
"Nowyouseewhatwehavedone，"saidtheWax-moths。"WehavecreatedNewMaterial，aNewConvention，aNewType，aswesaidwewould。"
"Andnewpossibilitiesforus，"saidthelayingsistersgratefully。"Youhavegivenusanewlife"swork，vitalandparamount。"
"Morethanthat，"chantedtheOdditiesinthesunshine；"youhavecreatedanewheavenandanewearth。Heaven，cloudlessandaccessible"(itwasaperfectAugustevening)"andEarthteemingwiththemerry，merryblossoms，waitingonlyourhonesttoiltoturnthemalltogood。The——er——Aster，andtheCrocus，andthe——er——Ladies"Smockinherseason，theChrysanthemumafterherkind，andtheGuelderRosebringingforthabundantlywithal。"
"Oh，HolyHymettus!"saidMelissa，awestruck。"Iknewtheydidn"tknowhowhoneywasmade，butthey"veforgottentheOrderoftheFlowers!Whatwillbecomeofthem？"
AShadowfellacrossthealighting-boardastheBeeMasterandhissoncameby。TheOdditiescrawledinandaVoicebehindaVeilsaid:"I"veneglectedtheoldHivetoolong。Givemethesmoker。"
Melissaheardanddartedthroughthegate。"Come，ohcome!"shecried。"ItisthedestructiontheOldQueenforetold。Princess，come!"
"Really，youaretooarchaicforwords，"saidanOddityinanalley-way。"Acloud，Iadmit，mayhavecrossedthesun；butwhyhysterics？Aboveall，whyPrincessessolateintheday？Areyouawareit"stheHivalTea-time？Let"ssinggrace。"
Melissaclawedpasthimwithallsixlegs。Sacharissahadruntowhatwasleftofthefertilebrood-comb。"Downandout!"shecalledacrossthebrownbreadthofit。"Nurses，guards，fanners，sweepers——out!