"The Japanese language is so sweet," says I, "the ladies cannot be very strong-minded that write it."
"Strong-minded—what is that?" says he.
"Manly, strong; sometimes fierce," says I.
"His Highness does not quite comprehend," says the young man.
"Then I must illustrate," says I. "For instance, if an American woman were to dress as near like a man as—well, I beg pardon—as his High Excellency and his friends dress like women, we should call them high-minded."
"But do they? Shall we see any ladies like that?"
"You will no doubt see females like that," says I, with dignity.
XLI.
THE DINNER.
