come outside the house, all agreed that it was a fine suggestion. But
not one of them wanted to go with Freddie.

"Then you'll have to draw lots," the Queen told them severely.

When the honey-makers heard that, one of them tried to slip away. But
the Queen saw her and called her back.

Then they drew lots. And strange to say, the worker who had tried to
escape proved to be the unlucky one who was doomed to go to the clover
field with Freddie Firefly and gather clover nectar until midnight.

Unluckily for Freddie, she was the worst-tempered person in the whole
Bumblebee household. And when she saw that she alone of the whole family
was going to lose half her night's sleep you may be sure she felt very
surly.

Freddie noticed a wicked gleam in her eyes. And he began to wish he had
gone to the dance over near the swamp.




XI

PEPPERY POLLY


Freddie Firefly felt quite uncomfortable as he started off toward the
clover field, together with the angry honey-maker. It had not made him