"That will do," said the sleepy lady. "Now go and give the children a bath, and as soon as the sun is warmer, carry them up into the air."
Alerta ran off to find the nursery. The soldiers were on guard at the door, but they let her go by when she told them her errand. Some of the babies were being fed, while others were already on their way upstairs. Alerta was about to pick up one of the children when a cry came from above.
"Take the children down at once. It is going to rain!"
Down the passage-way swarmed a crowd of nurses with their charges.
"No," cried another voice, "it is not rain. Some one is flooding our house."
Great was the terror of the hard-working nurses. "Can we get the children to a safe place?" was their first thought.
"What shall I do?" cried Alerta. She was thoroughly frightened.
"Your first duty is to the children," said an older ant. "You see that not one of us is looking out for herself. But I think we shall be able to stay here after all. See! the water is going down."
At this moment a stern voice was heard outside. It was the first time that Alerta had heard human speech, but she understood every word.
"What a mean, cruel thing to do!" it said. "Were the ants doing any harm to you? In future, remember that you are never to hurt or frighten any creature, even the smallest of them, for your own poor pleasure or amusement. I am ashamed of you, my son."