Nuova, unperceived by Hero, slipped behind him and began nervously and awkwardly, glancing at the attendants on the other drones for guidance, to clean his wings. Soon an awkward tug apprised Hero that some one was again trying to attend him, and he turned with an angry movement to drive her off, when he recognized Nuova, and arrested his gesture. He stood still, looking at her keenly, and, without a word, let her go on caring for him. She grew even more nervous and awkward. Then he smiled gently, and spoke to her in a low voice.
[Illustration: Nuova began to clean his wings]
"How do you come to be out here?" he asked. "You weren't sent as an attendant to us. Only the older and more experienced bees are given that--honor." He smiled again. "You didn't come out just now?"
"No," said Nuova almost in a whisper--"no, I was going out for honey."
"Oh, fine!" said Hero. "Out into the world already! You must have done your work in the hive very well."
Just then two or three Black Bees slipped out from behind a bush near the platform, but no one noticed them.
"But why don't you go, then?" asked Hero. "It is beautiful over there among the flowers." He waved an antenna toward the garden. "And fragrant, and exciting. Other kinds of creatures; beetles and grasshoppers and big buzzing flies. Some bad ones, too; spiders and giant bee-birds always watching, watching to catch you." Nuova shuddered. "But you are not afraid, are you?" Hero looked at her keenly. "Or are you? Do you prefer to stay here in safety and just wait on the drones?"
"Yes," said Nuova slowly, "I prefer to wait on a drone."
"I am surprised," said Hero sternly and even half-contemptuously.
Just then Nuova made an awkward tug at his wing. He winced. "Ouch!" he said; then half-laughed. "Your champion will never win Principessa if you pull his wings out."
As he said this, Nuova involuntarily, in response to her feelings, gave an even harder tug at his wings.
Hero exclaimed again, and half-pulled away from her. He spoke almost angrily.
"Here, what _are_ you doing?" he cried. Then, as he looked into the eager, excited, pretty face of his little attendant, he felt his heart give a curious throb. And when he spoke again it was almost tenderly.