The Washington times., 1908-07-25
WIFE OF JAPAN'S AMBASSADOR
DELIGHTED WITH AMERICA
AND ITS PEOPLE

generally. and when the family came
70 America il adopted the country s
fashions in toto-ate what we ate and
lived as We lived.
Have you only one child2' asked
Dolly, anc Nine. Takahira turned her
very attractive eyes on her
I have three sons in Japan AZ school, %
she replied They learn English. and
when they have finished they come 70
this country-my only daughter is here. -
Illustration Of Real Decorum.
She has not made her debut yet, 7
suppose" I ventured, glancing al little
Miss Kiyo. who. with tiny hands cIasped
in her lap. and feet neatly placed to-
gether on the floor. sat silent, a living
Illustration Of real decorum TO American
children
oh, no, she is but hfteent'' breathed
Madame TakahiTa- Next winter she
go 10 school IN Washington and learn
English. After that she learn alto
when she has finished her school"
Are you a college woman in
quired-
Madame Takahira shook her head
with an expressive sigh. NO" she
said. i am not, but / was educated az
what We called the normal school"
/ would have given a great deal dur
ing our visit Tor knowledge OF Jap
anese. for II am not very much mis-
taken IN my intuitions, Madame Taxa
hira is as clever for a woman as her
distinguished husband IS for man.
She struggled manfully 70 reply 70 my
questions and 10 make conversation IN
! the limited English az her command,
and she was as much perturbed as
when she could not unC rstand me and
I could not understand her, and when
/ the sign language failed Us both She
apOlOgiZed for having kept Us waiting
I a
I been walking IN the woods, one Of her
daily pastlmes, and that she had 70
make some changes IN her dress before
seeing visitors
Enthusiastic About Washington
I spoke Of Washington and she waxed
i enthusiastic about the ladies' in the
diplomatic circle They were so kin,
50 intelligent" she declared, and she
was delighted with the life IN that city.
She protested that Dolly and 1 must
some day 90 TO Japan We would find
good hotels there, she said. run accord
ing 10 the American plan. and she men
! toned the names Of several IN Tokyo
When she spoke Of wearing American
| dress she reminded Us that the Emperor
| court now wore II altogether.
| She did rot understand my questions
! about politics and my remarks about
! President Roosevelt. or the difficulties
]
| Dolly and I arose 10 go Instantly lit
I tie Miss kiyo slipped 10 her feet Ike
I a Well-dTilled and respected aUtOma-Om
/ and Nine. Takahira protested that :
! was so ''niZe" Of Us to come, asked u
/ 70 come again. shook Us by the hand
/ presented Us each with a ChaUninl
| smile and we left her standing IN TIT
! dra winE-rO0m looking after Us
] She hasn't an idea IN the world We
why we called" said Dolly as we walk
I ed Up the slope toward the hotel o.
think she is under the impression tina
we are census-tazers-
1T was a delightful experience
/ returned. To be received cOurteously
liz not actually tenderly. when one gOei
I for an interview is a new and delight
( full experience for me. and I'm thinkinl
OF going into newspaper work II
1 Japan"
| But Dolly had already climbed int
/ the carriage and was making elaborate
! 0arariOns 10 30 10 sleep. so the re
mainder OF my intentions 1 was Obliged
70 keep 10 myself
/ LEONORE CALVERT.