Not till
then did any of the others begin to revive.
As fast as they recovered the bees took charge of them. Not a human
had courage enough to make a move of offense; it meant certain
death, and they all knew it only too well. As soon as they were wide
awake enough to know what they were doing, they were forced to
search the bodies of those still asleep.
"We must find the means for growing the flower," said Supreme,
evidently convinced that a seed was a seed, under any circumstances.
And presently they found, tucked away in Corrus's lion-skin, a large
chunk of the pyrites, and a similar piece on Dulnop.
"So these were the discoverers," commented Supreme.
"What is your will in their case?" the subordinate asked.
The commanding bee considered for a long time. Finally she got an idea,
such as bees are known to get once in a great while. It was simply a
new combination--as all ideas are merely new combinations--of two
punishments which were commonly employed by the bees.
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