Part 25 (2/2)

And all the dignitaries so?” she asked ”Say it again

I'd like to learn it by heart”

Maya repeated the song of the sprite

My soul is that which breathes anew Frorace; And as it flows from God's own face, It flows from his creations, too

There was silence for a while The only sound was a restrained sobbing in the back of the hall--probably so of a friend who had been killed

Maya went on with her story When she came to the hornets, the bees' eyes darkened and widened Each iined himself in the situation in which one of their number had been, and quivered, and drew a deep breath

”Awful,” said the queen, ”perfectly awful”

The dignitariesto the same effect

”And so,” Maya ended, ”I reached home And I sue for your Majesty's pardon--a thousand times”

Oh, no one bore the little bee any ill will for having run away froine they did not

The queen put her aret your home and your people,” she said kindly

”In your heart you were loyal So ill be loyal to you

Henceforth you shall stay by my side and help me conduct the affairs of state In that way, I think, your experiences, all the things you have learned, will be ood of your people and your country”

Cheers of approval greeted the queen's words

So ends the story of the adventures of Maya the bee They say her work contributed greatly to the good and welfare of the nation, and she cahly respected and loved by her people Sos she went for a brief hour's conversation to Cassandra's peaceful little room, where the ancient da bees, who listened to her eagerly, stories of the adventures which we have lived through with her

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