"There are bandicoots and bandicoots," pursued Mr. Pottle; "the Peragale, or rabbit bandicoot; the Nasuta, or long-nosed bandicoot; the Mysouros, or saddle-backed bandicoot; the Chœropus, or pig-footed bandicoot; and——"
"Speaking of antelopes——" Mr. Deeley interrupted loudly.
"By all means!" said Mr. Pottle still more loudly. "I've always taken a special interest in antelopes. Let's see now—the antelope family includes the gnus, elands, hartebeests, addax, klipspringers, chamois, gazelles, chirus, pallas, saigas, nilgais, koodoos—pretty name that, isn't it, Blossom—the blessboks, duikerboks, boneboks, gemsboks, steinboks——"
He saw that the bright blue eyes of the lady of his dreams were fastened on him. He turned toward Mr. Deeley.
"You're familiar with Bambara, aren't you?" he asked.
"I beg pardon?" The brilliant conversationalist seemed a little confused. "Did you say Arabia? I should say I do know Arabia. Population 5,078,441; area——"
"One million, two hundred and twenty-two thousand square miles," finished Mr. Pottle. "No, I did not say Arabia; I said Bambara. B-a-m-b-a-r-a."
"Oh, Bambara," said Mr. Deeley feebly; his assurance seemed to crumple.
"Yes," said Mrs. Gallup. "Do tell us about Bambara; such an intriguing name."
"It is a country in Western Africa," Mr. Pottle tossed off grandly, "with a population of 2,004,737, made up of Negroes, Mandingoes and Foulahs. Its principal products are rice, maize, cotton, millet, yams, pistachio nuts, French beans, watermelons, onions, tobacco, indigo, tamarinds, lotuses, sheep, horses, alligators, pelicans, turtles, egrets, teals and Barbary ducks."