when he said this, all the workers smiled, and even the queen-mother had to turn away her head. the drones looked as solemn as possible. it would not do for them to laugh at their brother. they did not want him to laugh at them when they made excuses for staying at home. they even pretended not to hear one of the workers when she said that it was funny how some people couldn't use their wings if one of their feet hurt them.