IwishIhadthoughtofitbefore。
　　Mychiefcameback，allbrownwithlivingintheopenair，andveryangryatfindingitsohotintheplains。ThatsameafternoonwethreeandKadirBukshbegantopackforourmonth'sholiday，Vixenrollinginandoutofthebullock-trunktwentytimesaminute，andGarmgrinningalloverandthumpingonthefloorwithhistail。Vixenknewtheroutineoftravellingaswellassheknewmyoffice-work。Shewenttothestation，singingsongs，onthefrontseatofthecarriage，whileGarinsatwithme。Shehurriedintotherailwaycarriage，sawKadirBukshmakeupmybedforthenight，gotherdrinkofwater，andcurledupwithherblack-patcheyeonthetumultoftheplatform。Garinfollowedherthecrowdgavehimalanealltohimselfandsatdownonthepillowswithhiseyesblazing，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。
　　WhenthebodythatlivedatyoursinglewillWhenthewhimperofwelcomeisstilledhowstill!
　　WhenthespiritthatansweredyoureverymoodIsgonewhereveritgoes——forgood，Youwilldiscoverhowmuchyoucare，Andwillgiveyourhearttoadogtotear!
　　We'vesorrowenoughinthenaturalway，WhenitcomestoburyingChristianclay。
　　Ourlovesarenotgiven，butonlylent，Atcompoundinterestofcentpercent。
　　Thoughitisnotalwaysthecase，Ibelieve，Thatthelongerwe'vekept'em，themoredowegrieve:
　　For，whendebtsarepayable，rightorwrong，Ashort-timeloanisasbadasalongSowhyinHeavenbeforewearethere!
　　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。
　　Theworkerschewthemtheyareuselessunchewedintotheall-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'tminddwarfdronesanymorethanyoudotheyalldieinJuly，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。
　　Inspiteofherimmenseagethree，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!