“‘Maybe they aren’t so bad,’ said Hercules. ‘I don’t believe Xyntli asked ’em which way they’d rather be chased out. When they saw those snakes coming they hadn’t any time to go back for stray babies! I don’t mind snakes, myself, big or little, but I want ’em cold! They are, too—mostly.’ “‘Too what?’ asked Perseus. “‘Cold,’ answered Hercules; ‘toads, too.’ “‘I thought you said you’d rather have them cold?’ “‘I would. And they are—mostly.’ “‘Then why did you say they were _too_ cold?’ “‘I didn’t. I want ’em that way. And they are, too.’ “‘But you’— “‘There’s a conundrum about that,’ interrupted Orion. (He couldn’t stand it, to have them go on arguing.) ‘I’ve forgotten what it is; but the answer is: Because a hot snake is better than a cold hop.’ “‘Why! that isn’t it—at _all_!’ said Andromeda. “‘I should think you were all cold snakes and toads yourselves!’ broke in Cassiopeia, indignantly. ‘Arguing like that, with that poor child all alone in the middle of desolation! What do you propose to do about it?’ “‘There isn’t anything we can do,’ said Cepheus. ‘It isn’t our place.’ “‘Xyntli is the one who ought to do something. She made all the trouble,’ said Andromeda. “‘Don’t you be so silly,’ said Cassiopeia. ‘This is a serious matter.’ “‘I thouldn’t like her to bring up _my_ child,’ said Draco. ‘The ’th too exthitable.’ “‘We can decide about yours when you have one!’ said Cassiopeia. ‘Now, who is going after that baby? Because I think they’d better be starting.’ “‘What over the sun are you talking about?’ asked Orion. ‘Going where?’ “‘We are going to adopt that Bee Baby. If some one doesn’t start at once, I shall go myself!’ “‘_Adopt the Bee Baby!_’ cried every one in chorus. They were too much astounded to say anything original; they could only repeat her words—though they knew it was rude. “‘That was what I said,’ said Cassiopeia. “‘But you can’t,’ said Orion. ‘No one ever thought of doing such a thing. It isn’t the Rule of the Sky.’ “‘Do you know any Rule that _says_ we can’t?’ asked Cassiopeia. “‘No,’ answered Orion; and that disposed of him. “‘How could you take care of him?’ asked Perseus. ‘He’d keep getting lost; and he mightn’t like it.’ “‘It’s a pity if I can’t take care of one small child, and make him happy!’ said Cassiopeia. ‘I’ll learn.’ “‘Wouldn’t he just love to watch Sol’s bees!’ said Andromeda. ‘It would be a good thing to have some one to watch them; there’s always such a fuss when they swarm.’ “‘Yeth, indeed!’ said Draco. ‘Don’t you remember latht time?—when they got away when no one wath notithing, and every one thought they were a comet?’ “‘Yes,’ said Cassiopeia. ‘It might have made a great deal of trouble. I think we really need him. I’m going now. Is any one coming with me?’ “‘_No!_’ exclaimed Cepheus. ‘I forbid it! I am your husband, Cassiopeia; and I will be obeyed!’