"
At this point began one of the by-plays of my acquaintance with the
bee-man. The exuberant bee-man referred disparagingly to the shy
bee-man.
"I must have looked pretty seedy and stupid this morning on my way in. I
was up half the night; but I feel all right now."
The next time I met the shy bee-man he on his part apologised for the
exuberant bee-man--hesitatingly, falteringly, winding up with the words,
"I think you will understand." I grasped his hand, and left him with a
wan smile on his face. Instinctively I came to treat the two men in a
wholly different manner. With the one I was blustering,
hail-fellow-well-met, listening with eagerness to his expansive talk;
but to the other I said little, feeling my way slowly to his friendship,
for I could not help looking upon him as a pathetic figure. He needed a
friend! The exuberant bee-man was sufficient unto himself, glorious in
his visions, and I had from him no little entertainment.
I told Harriet about my adventures: they did not meet with her approval.
She said I was encouraging a vice.
"Harriet," I said, "go over and see his wife. I wonder what she thinks
about it."
"Thinks!" exclaimed Harriet. "What should the wife of a drunkard
think?"
But she went over.
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