“I’ll try to explain,” said Max. “Papa has taken some pains to give us a clear understanding of our government and its workings.
“Each of the thirty-eight states has its own constitution, elects its own governor, legislators, and judges. It elects two senators to send to Congress, too, and from one to thirty-four representatives, according to its population.
“But the territories can send only one delegate to Congress, and he has no vote; they are governed by Congress, with a governor appointed by the president.”
“Ah, yes, I see the difference, and that the states have the best of it. The territories, I presume, look forward to becoming states?”
“Yes; but they must have a certain number of inhabitants before they can hope to be admitted into the Union?”
“Your father’s an army officer, isn’t he?”
“No; he belonged to the navy, but resigned not very long ago.”
“The American navy is quite small, isn’t it?”
“It isn’t so large as it ought to be,” returned Max shortly.
“Britannia rules the wave!” quoted Albert, in an exultant tone.