Untitled

68 THE WONDERFUL CITY OF TOKIO.
:r l am showing the people the wisdom of waiting. I have
been five years watching for your Majesty to come this way
and to ask me this question. Nothing good is done in a
hurry.'
' The emperor talked for a long time with Tai-ko-bo, then
took him to his palace and gave him charge of his troops, re-
marking:
f The general who can wait will always achieve a victory!'
" When Tai-ko-bo was once riding in state, surrounded by
his soldiers, he saw an old beggar woman, who, kneeling,
requested permission to speak to him. He told her to go to
his mansion and await his return.
" After several hours he arrived home,
then ordered her to
be brought into his presence, and thus addressed her:
"Woman, what do you want of me?'
:t Honorable Tai-ko-bo,' she replied, r
l am your divorced
wife. I beg you will have pity upon me and take me back!
You are now rich, and I repent ever having given you cause to
put me away.'
" He looked at her contemptuously, filled a cup with water
and bade her take it, saying:
1 ?
Empty that on the ground! '
'The amazed woman obeyed, and asked:
"Now, great sir, will you
"
I will," he
"
sternly answered, when you can put the
receive me back?"
water you have spilt back into that cup! "
" How exceedingly interesting," said Sallie.
" Thank you
very much, sir."
They quitted the shop containing the cabinet, and visited
many sheds in which they saw workmen engaged in making
ordinary lacquer-ware, such as boxes and bowls.
"Where does all that cheap stuff go to?" asked Johnnie.