The Tale of Buster Bumblebee | Page 8

some one
would come and save him.
But nobody came. And Buster expected every instant to feel the cruel
beak of the Robber Fly, when there was a sudden commotion behind
his back. Somebody else cried out now. And Buster knew the voice,
too. Yes! Buster was sure that Peevish Peggy had come to help him.
But there was one thing that puzzled him. Peevish Peggy seemed to be
fully as frightened as Buster himself. At least, her cries sounded as if
she were in great terror.
Probably she's afraid the Robber Fly has hurt me, Buster thought. And
he reflected that in spite of her sharp tongue Peevish Peggy was more
kind-hearted than he had ever dreamed.
The next instant Buster felt himself suddenly released. At the same
time something swept him off the clover-top; and he barely managed to
save himself from a bad fall.
Somewhere he could hear a loud buzz, as of several angry voices. But
he did not care to show himself enough to find out what was happening.
For the time being he was content to stay snugly hidden among the
thick clover leaves.
[Illustration: Buster Shouted For Everybody to Keep Quiet. (Page 48)]
After a while the uproar ceased. But even then Buster Bumblebee was
in no hurry to leave his shelter.
When he did at last reach home he found the whole family much upset.
Everybody was talking at once. And in a household of more than two
hundred that meant that the noise was almost deafening.
Naturally, Buster Bumblebee wanted to know what was the matter. It
was a long time, however, before anyone would--or could--listen to

him. But at last he succeeded in getting the ear of the trumpeter.
"Haven't you heard the news?" she asked. "The Robber Fly came to the
clover patch to-day. And Peevish Peggy had a very narrow escape. If it
hadn't been for several other workers who happened to be gathering
clover nectar nearby, there's no telling where she would be now."
"Where is she?" Buster inquired.
"Resting in bed," the trumpeter explained. (Even Buster wondered how
she could rest with all that racket in the house!) "She's had a bad fright,
poor thing!" the trumpeter added.
Buster Bumblebee suddenly grew much excited. And he climbed up on
a table and shouted for everybody to be quiet.
"I don't believe you know about me!" he cried, as soon as the house
was still. "The Robber Fly attacked me. But I don't need to go to bed.
I'm not the least bit nervous."
Several of the family near him began to titter.
And the Queen herself stepped forward and commanded Buster to hop
down from the table at once.
He obeyed promptly. But he was quite puzzled. No one seemed to
believe what he said. And it was a long time before he learned what had
actually happened. At last a spiteful worker informed him that he had
never been in the clutches of the Robber Fly at all. Peevish Peggy and
some of her companions had played a trick on Buster--because of his
boasting. She had seized him when he wasn't looking. And he had
screamed so loud that the Robber Fly--who happened to be near--had
heard him.
Then the Robber Fly had rushed up and seized Peevish Peggy, who had
promptly let go of Buster Bumblebee.
The worker who told these things to Buster Bumblebee actually

laughed in his face. And Buster was so surprised--and so
crestfallen--that he couldn't say a word for a long time.
And never again did Buster mention the Robber Fly's name.

XI
THE DRONE
Yes! Buster Bumblebee was a drone. He never gathered any nectar
from the flowers and brought it home to help swell the family store of
honey. He let the workers of the household do that. And since they
never complained, but seemed to enjoy their drudgery, Buster saw no
reason why he should interfere with the honey-making in any way.
He was content to live a life of ease and pleasure. And never having to
bestir himself--never having to hurry or worry--he quickly grew into a
somewhat clumsy and blundering young gentleman. And what was still
worse, this handsome young idler soon gained the name of being none
too keen-witted. Good-natured, but a bit stupid--that was what the field
and forest folk called Buster Bumblebee.
But bless you! He never bothered his head with what people said.
When anybody called him a drone he would only laugh. And when
some busybody asked him for pity's sake why didn't he go to work, he
would merely grin and reply that he was a queen's son and that queens'
sons never did anything except eat a plenty and have a good time.
Well, that must have been an