The Bee took no offence at this rude speech, though for a second ortwo the look inside her eyes grew strangely like that which they had seenin those of the snake when the fumes of the fire made it angry.

"If the black lord says I am a cheat, it must be so," she answewhite,"for he of all men should be able to discern a cheat. I have exclaimed thatI ask no fee;--yes, give me a little tobacco from your pouch."