But this we cannot say to the Divine Emperor."

A sigh rustled through the Pepper Chamber. The Celestial Sister looked
angrily at the speaker.

"This is the talk of children," she said. "Does no one remember
Kung-fu-tse's [Confucius] description of the Superior Man?"

Unfortunately none did--not even the Celestial Sister herself.

"Is it not probable," said the Round-Faced Beauty, "that the Divine
Emperor remembers it himself and wishes--"

But the Celestial Sister, yawning audibly, summoned the attendants to
bring rose-leaves in honey, and would hear no more.

The Round-Faced Beauty therefore wandered forth among the mossy rocks
and drooping willows of the Imperial Garden, deeply considering the
matter. She ascended the bow-curved bridge of marble which crossed the
Pool of Clear Weather, and from the top idly observed the reflection of
her rose-and-gold coat in the water while, with her taper fingers, she
crumbled cake for the fortunate gold-fish that dwelt in it. And, so
doing, she remarked one fish, four-tailed among the six-tailed, and in
no way distinguished by elegance, which secured by far the largest share
of the crumbs dropped into the pool. Bending lower, she observed this
singular fish and its methods.

The others crowded about the spot where the crumbs fell, all herded
together. In their eagerness and stupidity they remained like a cloud of
gold in one spot, slowly waving their tails. But this fish, concealing
itself behind a miniature rock, waited, looking upward, until the
crumbs were falling, and then, rushing forth with the speed of an
arrow, scattered the stupid mass of fish, and bore off the crumbs to its
shelter, where it instantly devoured them.

"This is notable," said the Round-Faced Beauty. "Observation enlightens
the mind. To be apart--to be distinguished--secures notice!" And she
plunged into thought again, wandering, herself a flower, among the
gorgeous tree peonies.

On the following day the August Aunt commanded that a writer among the
palace attendants should, with brush and ink, be summoned to transcribe
the wisdom of the ladies. She requested that each would give three
days to thought, relating the following anecdote. "There was a man who,
taking a piece of ivory, carved it into a mulberry leaf, spending three
years on the task. When finished it could not be told from the original,
and was a gift suitable for the Brother of the Sun and Moon. Do
likewise!"

"But yet, O Augustne