Page:The Keeper of the Bees.pdf/87

 level with the belt line and given an emphatic downward and outward sweep that seemed to cover long distances with perfect accuracy.

“I am glad you think I’ll do,” said Jamie.

“I haven’t had time to think anything,” said the small person. “I am no acrobat in my head. I can’t think quick. If the Bee Master told you to come here and stay here, you’ve got to come and you’ve got to stay and you’ve got to do. That’s all there is to that. I’m the Bee Master’s side partner. Look me over, Kid! It ain’t expensive!”

Jamie smiled, and when Jamie smiled, which was not any too frequent an occurrence, there were tiny dancing flecks of light in his eyes and a stretching of the skin over his lean face and a twitching of his lips that made an appeal that had not as yet failed in its effect. The child advanced a step and laid a hand on Jamie’s arm while an impish grin overspread the small features. The inquiry was shot at him suddenly.

“Did you see me pirouette?”

Jamie nodded.

“Did I pull it off pretty well?”

“I thought you did famously,” said Jamie.

“We got to do that darn stuff in school,” said the small person. “It’s the bunk! But when I get off where I think I’m alone, I practise it. I think I can do it better to the bee music and to the waves than any other kind. It’s sure goofy! I wish you could see Fat Ole Bill pirouette! But if your school makes you do it, you might just as well