“It doesn’t matter in the least,” interrupted the pilot, “wasps are like human beings, quite inoffensive until you irritate them. Perhaps you keep snakes, too?”
“Well, there are some, of course.”
“I thought so; they like the warmth of the bed, so we shall get on. Are they adders or vipers? I don’t very much mind which, but on the whole I prefer vipers.”
The old dame watched him breathlessly while he arranged his bed, and in every way betrayed his firm resolution to spend the night in her cottage.
All at once an excited buzzing could be heard outside the closed window, and a huge hornet bumped against the glass.
“Let the poor thing come in,” said the pilot, opening the window.
“No, no, not that one, kill it!” yelled the old dame.
“Why should I? Perhaps its young ones are in this room, and would starve. Am I to lie here and listen to the screaming of hungry babies? No, thank you! Come in, little wasp!”
“It will sting you!” shrieked the old dame.
“No, indeed it won’t. It only stings the wicked.”