"Why not?" asked Chick-chick. "Why not. Why ain't this good place as any for bee make her happy cupboard?"
"Show it to us, Chick-chick. You're hiding it. We know what you are trying to do. You want to keep all that honey for yourself."
"Chick-chick wants all the honey for himself," chimed the chorus. "Lead us to your bee tree, Chick-chick. Don't be selfish."
"A'right, boys. There's bee tree in these woods. I don't want dinner—want bee tree. All who feel just so an' similar follow me. Here flies honey-bee right now. Watch her!"
And the bee sailed right to Matt's tree.
"Oh, look at the bees buzzing around that hole. Let me get at it," cried an excited scout.
"Not too familiar," warned Chick-chick. "Bees have feelin's. D'ye never hear the piece:
"How doth the little honey bee
In self defense excel.
She gives her life for one sharp sting
Yet hath she spent it well."
"Leave it to the expert, fellows," cried Matt. "Let him get at it. Make way for the sum of all knowledge."
"It's me he means," modestly admitted Chick-chick. "He wants me to tackle this peculiar tree. Peculiar tree an' peculiar bees!"