"Certainly," replied the Bee, "you were made for that purpose, and by the time you return I shall probably be more at liberty; we have a great deal to do, but there is likewise a number of hands, all able and willing to assist;" and directing his friend to find out the hive when he came back, he wished him much pleasure, and thus they parted for a short time, the one to play, and the other to work, though both equally pleased with the pursuit they were about to follow.
The Butterfly soon after joined his gayer friends, and sailing high in air, they winged their way, to "range the forest's green retreat."
"These thro' the tangled wood-walks play,
"Where no rude urchin paces near,
"Where sparely peeps the sultry day,
"And light dews freshen all the air."
Thus sported the happy party, uninterruptedly enjoying the live-long day, and resting at night within "the lily's bell!" They skimmed the purple heath, visited the rivers' brink, and each day brought some new pleasure in their view, till at length the weather began to change, a cold wind blew, and there was every appearance of an approaching tempest; and now it was that the Butterfly began to think of his friend the Bee, and of his warm comfortable hive; though he knew he could not be admitted there, he felt that it must be very pleasant to have such an asylum to retreat to. Every one of his fluttering companions were now flying away, each desirous of finding a place of safety for himself, and he still bent upon returning to his more steady friend, endeavoured to gain the way which led to his abode, though the wind was now so powerful that he could scarcely bear against it, or see the way he was taking. At this moment a stage-coach passed him, and though he did not know it would convey him from the place he was then in, he was glad to take the shelter it afforded, and flying in at one of the open windows he soon found a resting-place. After recovering from the disorder and confusion the rough wind had put him into, he had time to examine where he was, and noticed two young ladies, and an officer very gayly drest, apparently confined within this very small space.
"What's this?" exclaimed the gentleman; "a Butterfly! we want no such intruders here; ladies, are you alarmed? is the creature disagreeable?"
"Let the poor thing alone," said an elderly man, whom the Butterfly had not observed before, "it's as free to live as you are; 'tis true we have frivolity enough in our cargo, but the horses won't feel this addition to it."
"It has taken shelter from the storm," said one of the ladies, not at all regarding what he said; "and if it does not settle on me it is welcome to remain." The coachman now got off his box, and opening the door, begged to know if there was room for a young woman, who was on the outside.
"It rains hard," said he, "and she will be wet to the skin if she stays there." Instead of answering his enquiry the officer, in a low voice, replied thus: "I say, who is this old fellow in the corner? any one of consequence? hey?"
"Oh bless you, no Sir, he won't mind her coming in, if you don't."