(原版)澳大利亚语文第三册 LESSON 14
LESSON 14 BEES
BEES
I
1. "Come, Joe, are you ready yet?" cried Sarah. "We shall be late for the train if we do not go at once."
A BEE FARM
2. The children had been asked by their uncle, Mr. Flower, to visit his bee farm on the edge of a gum forest, and Sarah was very eager [1] to make a start.
3. Now they were in the train speeding [2] through the bush, and soon came to the station nearest their uncle's home.
4. The spring-cart was there to meet them. The children, full of glee, climbed on to the wide seat, and away they went.
5. Joe very much wanted to drive, but his cousin Tom would not let him, as it would not be safe.
6. After driving for half an hour, they came in sight of the house. Joe at once asked questions about the square boxes which stood in rows in the garden.
7. Tom told him that these were beehives, and that they were almost full of honey.
8. Aunt Jane lifted the children out of the cart, giving each a hearty kiss as she did so, and then took them into the sitting-room, where they found lunch spread.
9. Joe and Sarah ate heartily of the white home-made bread and golden butter. They also had some honey served up in the comb and liked it very much.
10. Next morning, Uncle Harry asked them if they would like to see him take the honey from some of the hives.
11. Joe said he was afraid the bees would sting, but his uncle told him he need not be afraid, if he did as he was bid.
12. The morning was bright and clear, just the day for working among bees. Joe and Sarah laughed when the bee-veils [3] were placed over their hats to guard their faces.
13. Cousin Tom carried a queer-shaped tin standing on two boards, joined together with soft leather.
At one end of the tin was a narrow tube or nozzle [4] .
14. Mr. Flower told the children that this was called a smoker. He lit some old rag and placed it in the back of the tin. Then he puffed smoke out of the nozzle into the opening of one of the hives.
15. "What are you doing that for, Uncle," asked Joe.
16. "Why," said Mr. Flower, "as soon as the bees breathe the smoke, they will not sting. Though they may crawl over your hands they will do you no harm, but you must treat them gently."
17. He then raised the lid and puffed some smoke over the top of the frames in which were the combs. A few bees buzzed lazily up, but most of them could be seen crawling busily over the comb.
* * *
[1] eager: Anxious.
[2] speeding: Moving quickly.
[3] bee-veils: Nets to protect the head from stings of bees.
[4] nozzle: Nose or point.
