ole. She crept so far out on the edge of
the blossom that a drop of rain fell on her shoulder, and gave
her a start. She wiped herself dry.

Below her the withered leaf heaved; a brown insect crept out,
slowly. Maya thought it was the queerest specimen she had ever
seen. It had a plump body, set on extremely thin, slow-moving
legs, and a fearfully thick head, with little upright feelers.
It looked flustered.

"Good morning, Effie dear." The beetle went slim with
politeness. He was all politeness, and his body seemed really
slim. "How did you sleep? How did you sleep, my precious--my
all?"

Effie took his hand rather stonily.

"It can't be, Bobbie," she said. "I can't go with you. We're
creating too much talk."

Poor Bobbie looked quite alarmed.

"I don't understand," he stammered. "I don't understand.-- Is
our new-found happiness to be wrecked by such nonsense? Effie,
think--think the thing over. What do _you_ care _what_ people
say? You have your hole, you can creep into it whenever you
like, and if you go down far enough, you won't hear a syllable."

Effie smiled a sad, superior smile.

"Bobbie, you don't understand. I have my own views in the
matter.-- Besides, there's something else. You have been
exceedingly indelicate. You took advantage of my ignorance. You
let me think you were a rose-beetle and yesterday the snail told
me you are a tumble-bug. A considerable difference! He saw you
engaged in--well, doing something I don't care to mention. I'm
sure you will now admit that I must take back my word."

Bobbie was stunned. When he recovered from the shock he burst
out angrily:

"No, I _don't_ understand. I can't understand. I want to be
loved for myself, and not for my business."

"If only it weren't dung," said Effie offishly, "anything but
dung, I shouldn't be so particular.-- And please remember, I'm
a young widow who lost her husband only three days ago under
the most tragic circumstances--he was gobbled up by the
shrewmouse--and it isn't proper for me to be gadding about.
A young widow should lead a life of complete retirement.
So--good-by."

Pop into her hole went Effie, as though a puff of wind had blown
her away. Maya would never have thought it possible that anyone
could dive into the ground as fast as that.

Effie was gone, and Bobbie stared in blank bewilderment down the
empty dark opening, looking so utterly stupid that Maya had to
laugh.

Finally he roused, and shook his small rou