Nature has decreed that
there are certain things in life which shall act as hoops of
steel, grappling the souls of the elect together. Golf is one of
these; a mutual love of horseflesh another; but the greatest of
all is bees. Between two beekeepers there can be no strife. Not
even a tepid hostility can mar their perfect communion.
The petty enmities which life raises to be barriers between man
and man and between man and woman vanish once it is revealed to
them that they are linked by this great bond. Envy, malice,
hatred, and all uncharitableness disappear, and they look into
each other's eyes and say 'My brother!'
The effect of Bill's words on Elizabeth was revolutionary. They
crashed through her dislike, scattering it like an explosive
shell. She had resented this golden young man's presence at the
farm. She had thought him in the way. She had objected to his
becoming aware that she did such prosaic tasks as cooking and
washing-up. But now her whole attitude toward him was changed. She
reflected that he was there. He could stay there as long as he
liked, the longer the better.
'You have really kept bees?'
'Not actually kept them, worse luck! I couldn't raise the capital.
You see, money was a bit tight--'
'I know,' said Elizabeth, sympathetically.
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