ybody said that that was a good plan. And Betsy's admirers chose
Daddy Longlegs to call on Buster Bumblebee and invite him to a party to
be given in the meadow the following day.

Daddy Longlegs agreed to do the errand, in spite of the fact that for
him it was half a day's journey to the Bumblebee's home from the stone
wall where he lived. But he thought that by hurrying he ought to be able
to get back in time to put on his best coat and go to the party, though
he might arrive somewhat late.

"Don't forget to ask Betsy Butterfly to the party!" Daddy called, as he
started off on his long trip.

"Don't worry! I'll attend to that myself," Chirpy Cricket promised.

"And don't forget to invite Joseph Bumble!" Daddy cautioned him.

"Oh! we don't need to ask him," said Chirpy Cricket. "_He'll_ come
without being invited, unless I'm greatly mistaken."

* * * * *

Luckily for Daddy Longlegs there was not a breath of wind either that
day or the following one. So he made excellent time to the Bumblebee
home, where he found Buster Bumblebee and gave him his invitation. Then
Daddy turned around and started back towards his stone wall. Buster
Bumblebee had promised to come to the party. And Daddy wanted to be
present when the two cousins, Buster Bumblebee and Joseph Bumble,
met--with Betsy Butterfly right there to watch them.

XV

JOSEPH BUMBLE'S COMPLAINT

IT happened just as Chirpy Cricket had expected. Betsy Butterfly arrived
at the party with her admirer, Joseph Bumble, buzzing close behind her.
Although he had not been invited, he did not feel the least bit shy
about coming.

"Being of a royal family, I never wait to be asked to a place," he had
explained loftily to Betsy. "And you'll see that everybody will be glad
to see me at the party. People always consider it an honor to have me at
their entertainments."

Joseph's words proved partly true, anyhow. Anyone could see that Joseph
Bumble was more than welcome. Chirpy Cricket and Daddy Longlegs--as
well good many others--rushed up to him and told him how pleased they
were to see him.

And Joseph Bumble was having a very agreeable time talking in a loud
voice about himself and his family when he suddenly stopped short. A
look of displeasure crossed his face. And Daddy Longlegs asked him if he
had eaten something that disagreed with him.

"No!" replied Joseph Bumble. "I've been interrupted. And it's hardly the
sort of treatm