who happened to be passing.

"My children," he said, putting his head in at the door, "why this
unseemly anger, why this dispute?"

"Father," said Kiki-Tsum, "my wife is mad."

"All women are so, my son, more or less," interrupted the holy _bonze_.
"You were wrong to expect perfection, and must abide by your bargain
now. It is no use getting angry, all wives are trials."

"But what she says is a lie."

"It is not, father," exclaimed Lili-Tsee. "My husband has the portrait
of a woman, and I found it hidden in my rose-leaf vase."

"I swear that I have no portrait but that of my poor dead father,"
explained the aggrieved husband.

"My children, my children," said the holy _bonze_, majestically, "show
me the portraits."

"Here it is; there is only one, but it is one too many," said Lili-Tsee,
sarcastically.

The _bonze_ took the glass and looked at it earnestly. He then bowed low
before it, and in an altered tone said: "My children, settle your
quarrel and live peaceably together. You are both in the wrong. This
portrait is that of a saintly and venerable _bonze_. I know not how you
could mistake so holy a face. I must take it from you and place it