“Yes, sir. Isn’t it right?”
“Oh, yes, yes, perfectly right. All Oceanica belongs to the English. That’s an understood thing. Go on.”
Paganel’s face betrayed both surprise and annoyance, to the great delight of the Major.
“Let us go on to Asia,” said the geographer.
“Asia,” replied Toline, “is an immense country. Capital—Calcutta. Chief Towns—Bombay, Madras, Calicut, Aden, Malacca, Singapore, Pegu, Colombo. The Lacca-dive Islands, the Maldives, the Chagos, etc., belonging to the English.”
“Very good, pupil Toline. And now for Africa.”
“Africa comprises two chief colonies—the Cape on the south, capital Capetown; and on the west the English settlements, chief city, Sierra Leone.”
“Capital!” said Paganel, beginning to enter into this perfectly taught but Anglo-colored fanciful geography. “As to Algeria, Morocco, Egypt—they are all struck out of the Britannic cities.”
“Let us pass on, pray, to America.”
“It is divided,” said Toline, promptly, “into North and South America. The former belongs to the English in Canada, New Brunswick, New Scotland, and the United States, under the government of President Johnson.”