JUNE 9: Ladybug’s Lecture
“Dear little Ladybugs, gather around me,” said Ladybug, “for I am going to give a lecture.
“It will be a free lecture, and pray, Ladybugs, do not think that on that account it will be poor. Too many folks have the idea that nothing is good that is free.
“They don’t bother to find out how many nice things are free, and they don’t stop to think about them. Take birds and their concerts—quite free.
“And lovely wild flowers—quite free. And the woods and lakes and rivers and ponds—practically all of them free. And many free concerts and oh, so many things that if I go on talking about them I will never have time for my lecture.
“So I shall begin my lecture if all the Ladybugs are ready, and if the Ladybug who has charge of this hall (for I must call this place where I am lecturing a hall) will kindly bring me an acorn filled with water I shall be much obliged. Lecturers should always have such things by them, and oh yes, a light and a pointer to point to my maps and my pictures. But on second thought they won’t be necessary for I have no maps and no pictures. Well, then, are we all ready?”
A little Ladybug came hurrying up with the acorn filled with water and said in a low tone, “If you want any more I’ll bring it in to you.”
“Thanks,” said the Ladybug, who was about to lecture.
“Now, friends,” she began, “Mrs. President, Lady Chairman, I greet you.”
There was no Mrs. President and no Lady Chairman, but that didn’t make any difference.
“I have something very fine to tell you. Something very fine upon a subject which strikes close to the heart of all of us.”
Ladybug, the lecturer, placed one of her legs in the direction of her heart and looked very fine indeed doing so.
In a moment or two she went on: “I have heard, and it is quite true, that we have all been paid a very great compliment. We have been paid one of the greatest of compliments.
“It has been both expensive and a bit difficult to get to Europe of late—especially has it been too expensive, and I don’t believe any of the Ladybugs have enough money in the Ladybugs’ bank to use that to go to Europe.
“It’s a fine bank and it is nice to go to a bank where ladies are especially looked after and all of that.
“But we haven’t enough money in the bank. Dear me no, not nearly enough.
“However, those of our family who were chosen to go weren’t asked how much money they had at all. They weren’t even asked if they had any money.
“They weren’t even asked if they would pay for their laundry and their own food.
“They were just invited to go and were told the work they would do would be enough thanks for the opportunity they were having to travel.
“Yes,” said Ladybug, “many, many, many Ladybugs have been shipped to France to destroy bad insects.
“Of course, I’m not sure whether the Ladybugs can talk French or not, but they can work anyway and make the whole Ladybug world proud of them.
“But I think it would be interesting if we all studied a little French so that we would be able to say how-do-you-do and good-by and pleased-to-meet-you in French, in case we’re called upon next. And my lecture is not only free. It is quite, quite true.”
“Ah,” said all the Ladybugs when they had finished cheering the speaker, “we will all study a little French and be ready. Ah, what an honor for the Ladybugs of this land!”
“Gorgeous,” said Ladybug, the lecturer.