"That is quite evident from the fairy-like delicacy of your
appearance," said the Colonel. "One can see that nothing so gross
and material has ever entered into your system."

"I'm sure," said Miss Katy, "mamma says she don't know what does
keep me alive; half a dew-drop and a little hit of the nicest part
of a rose-leaf, I assure you, often last me for a day. But we are
forgetting our list. Let's see,--the Fireflies, Butterflies, Moths.
The Bees must come, I suppose."

"The Bees are a worthy family," said the Colonel.

"Worthy enough, but dreadfully hum-drum" said Miss Katy. "They
never talk about anything but honey and housekeeping; still they
are a class of people one cannot neglect."

"Well, then, there are the Bumble-bees."

"Oh, I doat on them! General Bumble is one of the most dashing,
brilliant fellows of the day.

"I think he is shockingly corpulent," said Colonel Katy-did, not at
all pleased to hear him praised, "don't you?"

"I don't know but he _is_ a little stout," said Miss Katy;
"but so distinguished and elegant in his manners,--something
martial and breezy about him."

"Well, if you invite the Bumble-bees you must have the Hornets."