“Must you see me every size that can be measured before you know me, Diamond?”
“But how could I think it was you taking care of a great stupid bumble-bee?”
“The more stupid he was the more need he had to be taken care of. What with sucking honey and trying to open the door, he was nearly dated; and when it opened in the morning to let the sun see the tulip's heart, what would the sun have thought to find such a stupid thing lying there—with wings too?”
“But how do you have time to look after bees?”
“I don't look after bees. I had this one to look after. It was hard work, though.”
“Hard work! Why, you could blow a chimney down, or—or a boy's cap off,” said Diamond.
“Both are easier than to blow a tulip open. But I scarcely know the difference between hard and easy. I am always able for what I have to do. When I see my work, I just rush at it—and it is done. But I mustn't chatter. I have got to sink a ship to-night.”
“Sink a ship! What! with men in it?”
“Yes, and women too.”
“How dreadful! I wish you wouldn't talk so.”