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The Keeper of the Bees

“Jean Meredith.”

Then he realized that he was still in the dark. He didn’t know any more than he had before. Jean might be a boy or might be a girl. He looked at Doctor Grayson.

“Does Jean Meredith know about this?” he asked.

“The Bee Master gave me the telephone number and I called the parents. Yes, the Bee Master’s little friend knows.”

“And will the parents accept that gift on behalf of the child?” asked Jamie.

“Most assuredly,” said the Doctor. “Why not? There probably was no one on earth to whom the Bee Master was attached as to the little person he always referred to as his side partner. There is no reason, since he had no child of his own, as to why he should not leave his property to any one he chose. There was every reason as to why he should leave it to a man who had cared for it in his absence, in whom he had faith, and to a child who has perhaps relieved the tedium of more dark hours in the Master’s life than all the rest of the world put together. It seems to me eminently right and fitting that the Bee Master should do precisely what he has done. I forgot to call your attention to a last provision and an afterthought in the form of a codicil as to the furnishings of the house. Everything in the living room and the books go to the little Scout; the remainder of the furnishings are yours.”

Jamie arose. He offered his hand to Doctor Grayson.