Then she too slept, for she knew what she had to do; and Shinigawa, the Lord of Death-Desire, drew near and touched her as she slept. * * * * * It was nearly dusk the next evening before everything was prepared. All her son’s clothes mended and ready, the house put straight, the letter written, telling her boy quite simply that, having learned the reason why the Emperor in his graciousness would not take him for his soldier, she had taken her own life that he might be free to fight. On her knees she thanked the gracious _Tenshisama_, but her son and her son’s life were his not hers. Then she sharpened her dagger, and when O Mmé San felt its edge was keen enough, she knelt down on the matting, took off her long silken under-girdle, and tied it carefully around her knees, for a _samurai_ woman must lie modestly even in death. Then she felt in her throat for the artery, and with one quick thrust drove the dagger home. * * * * * The Prefect was sitting with his family that evening when Suzuki Tetsutarō came to the house. He carried a paper in his hand, and he was trembling. “Honourably please to take notice,” he said, “that I am qualified to serve, for my mother is dead.” And he handed the Prefect the paper. When he had read it the stern official turned to the lad. “The detachment has not yet left for headquarters,” he said, writing rapidly as he spoke. “Go straight to the station. Give this card to the officer in charge. I will bury your mother and perform the rites.” Then he laid his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Suzuki Tetsutarō,” he said, “your mother was worthy of her race. Go, that her spirit may have peace.” So Suzuki Tetsutarō went straight to the front. GLOSSARY =Aino.= The aboriginal inhabitants of Japan, only found now in the North Island. A remarkably hairy, remarkably dirty race, with the flattened shin-bone only occurring in skeletons of the cave-men. They are great hunters and fishers. =Amado.= Sliding wooden walls which are drawn all round a Japanese house at night, completely enclosing it. =Amaterasu=, _lit._ “Heaven-Shiner.” The Sun-Goddess, born from the right eye of the Creator Izanagi. =Amida Butsu.= Buddha as Amida. Originally Amida was an abstraction, the ideal of boundless light. =Benten.= One of the seven Deities of Luck, frequently represented riding on a serpent. Her shrines are mostly on islands, and from her connection with the sea she has certain points of resemblance with Venus. Benten always has a white face. =Biwa.= A musical instrument with four strings, something like a lute. =Boy.= Term universal among foreigners in the Far East for a male servant, of whatever age. =Bot’chan.= A little boy; baby; Japanese baby language. Derived from _bōsan_, a Buddhist priest (bonze). Japanese babies, like Buddhist priests, having completely shaven heads. =Bushi.= Warrior.