A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Mutual Dependence 287
wall be your care to see and tend them to the recovery of
their health."
"Nay," she answered, "that will be my pleasantest of
tasks, if careful nursing may touch the springs of gratitude
and leave them friendlier than heretofore."
And I (continued Ischomachus) was struck with admiration
at her answer, and replied: "Thank you, my wife, it
is through some such traits of forethought seen in their
mistress-leader that the hearts of bees are won, and they
are so loyally affectioned toward her that, if ever she
abandon her hive, not one of them will dream of being
left behind; but one and all must follow her.'
And my wife made answer to me: "It would much
astonish me (said she) did not these leader's works, you
speak of, point to you rather than to myself. Methinks
mine would be a pretty guardianship and distribution of
things indoors without your provident care to see that the
importations from without were duly made."
"Just so," I answered, "and mine would be a pretty
importation if there were none to guard what I imported.
Do you not see," I added, "how pitiful is the case of those
unfortunates who pour water into their sieves forever, as
the story goes, and labor but in vain? "
"Pitiful enough, poor souls," she answered, "if that is
what they do."
" But there are other cares, you know, and occupations," Jj^^°f_^"
I answered, "which are yours by right, and these you will
find agreeable. This, for instance: to take some maiden
who knows naught of carding wool and to make her proficient
in the art, doubling her usefulness; or to receive
another quite ignorant of housekeeping or of service, and
to render her skilful, loyal, serviceable, till she is worth
her weight in gold; or again, when occasion serves, you