The results were instantaneous. One or two bee-policemen, who were
doing fixed point-duty near the opening, scuttled hastily back
into the hive; and from within came a muffled buzzing as other
bees, all talking at once, worried the perplexed officials with
foolish questions, a buzzing that became less muffled and more
pronounced as Elizabeth lifted the edge of the cover and directed
more smoke through the crack. This done, she removed the cover,
set it down on the grass beside her, lifted the super-cover and
applied more smoke, and raised her eyes to where Bill stood
watching. His face wore a smile of pleased interest.
Elizabeth's irritation became painful. She resented his smile. She
hung the smoker on the side of the hive.
'The stool, please, and the screw-driver.'
She seated herself beside the hive and began to loosen the outside
section. Then taking the brood-frame by the projecting ends, she
pulled it out and handed it to her companion. She did it as one
who plays an ace of trumps.
'Would you mind holding this, Mr Chalmers?'
This was the point in the ceremony at which the wretched Nutty had
broken down absolutely, and not inexcusably, considering the
severity of the test. The surface of the frame was black with what
appeared at first sight to be a thick, bubbling fluid of some
sort, pouring viscously to and fro as if some hidden fire had been
lighted beneath it.
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