“The wood-louse replied with great humility, ‘Happy in myself, I do not wish to draw the attention of others; and if I have not thy beauty to boast of, I am at least without thy pride.’
“A nightingale, who was singing in a neighbouring bush, attracted by the light of the glow-worm, flew to the spot where she lay, and seizing the vain insect in her beak, carried it away to feast her family. The wood-louse, concealed in darkness, escaped the enemy’s notice.”
CHAPTER XIV.
Bees.
The next morning, on the little boys getting up, they were surprised at hearing a tinkling sound just under their windows. They were induced, as soon as they were ready, to run down into the garden, to see what was going forward.
Mrs. Mansfield was the person who occasioned the noise, by striking the lid of a tin saucepan with a large key.
“Oh, grandmamma, what are you about?” exclaimed Arthur, laughing. “I should have taken you for my little sister Kate, amusing herself by making, what she would call, a pretty noise.”
“I do it, my dear, to prevent the bees from going away,” replied Mrs. Mansfield. “Don’t you see what swarms are flying about?”
“Yes,” returned Arthur. “But what have they to do with the key and the saucepan lid?”