“There are ten Territories besides the District of Columbia, which is under the direct control of Congress.”
“I wonder why it is,” thought Ella, “and what ‘under the direct control’ means. Can’t it do anything without asking Congress? What does a District ever want to do?”
But the next girl was reciting.
“The Territories and their capitals are, Washington, Olympia, on Puget Sound.” And she went on through the whole ten more easily and rapidly than Ella thought she should ever be able to do. But what did it mean that hands were raised here and there all down the line?
“Mary,” said the teacher to the girl below the one who had recited, “what is wrong?”
“She said ‘Salt Lake City, on Great Salt Lake.’ It should be ‘near Great Salt Lake.’”
“Correct. Take your place,” the teacher said; and Mary took her place just above the girl who had failed, while she and all those that had stood between them moved down one place.
“Frank,” said the teacher, and a boy who stood next went on:
“The Gulf of Alaska and Kodiak Island are south of Alaska.”
“The Columbia River separates Washington Territory from Oregon,” said the next; and the third recited: