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!