Part 6 (1/2)
”Yes,” said Bobbie, looking after the retreating fraction, ”the creatures are very lively-- I've lost my appetite” With that he threay the re in his hand, and this worm portion also retreated, in the other direction
Maya was completely puzzled But Bobbie seemed to be familiar with this peculiarity of worms
”Don't suppose that I always eat worms,” he remarked ”You see, you don't find roses everywhere”
”Tell the little one at least which way its other half ran,”
cried Maya in great exciteravely
”Those whoain,” he observed-- ”Who are you?”
”Maya, of the nation of bees”
”I'ainst the bees-- Why are you sitting about? Bees don't usually sit about Have you been sitting there long?”
”I slept here”
”Indeed!” There was a note of suspicion in Bobbie's voice
”I hope you slept well, _very_ well Did you just wake up?”
”Yes,” said Maya, who had shrewdly guessed that Bobbie would not like her having overheard his conversation with Effie, the cricket, and did not want to hurt his feelings again
Bobbie ran hither and thither trying to look up and see Maya
”Wait,” he said ”If I raise rass I'll be able to see you, and you'll be able to look into my eyes You want to, don't you?”
”Why, I do indeed I'd like to very much”
Bobbie found a suitable prop, the stem of a buttercup The flower tipped a little to one side so that Maya could see his and looked up at her She thought he had a nice, dear, friendly face--but not so very young anythe buttercup a-rocking, and introduced himself:
”Bobbie, of the fah to herself She knew very well he was not a rose-beetle; he was a dung-beetle But she passed theto mortify him
”Don't you mind the rain?” she asked
”Oh, no I'm accustomed to the rain--fro there”
Maya thought to herself:
”After all I htfully vain”
”Bobbie,” she said with a sly smile, ”what sort of a hole is that one there, under the leaf?”
Bobbie started