I 'm ever so late , '' he said , hurrying upstairs ; and the princess , with a little sigh , went down to the royal drawing-room . CHAPTER II . Princess Jaqueline Drinks the Moon . -LCB- The King and the Prince : p30.jpg -RCB- When dinner was over and the ladies had left the room , the king tried to speak seriously to Prince Ricardo . This was a thing which he disliked doing very much . `` There 's very little use in preaching , '' his Majesty used to say , `` to a man , or rather a boy , of another generation . My taste was for books ; I only took to adventures because I was obliged to do it . Dick 's taste is for adventures ; I only wish some accident would make him take to books . But everyone must get his experience for himself ; and when he has got it , he is lucky if it is not too late . I wish I could see him in love with some nice girl , who would keep him at home . '' The king did not expect much from talking seriously to Dick . However , he began by asking questions about the day 's sport , which Ricardo answered with modesty . Then his Majesty observed that , from all he had ever read or heard , he believed Ethiopia , where the fight was , to be in Africa , not in Asia . `` I really wish , Ricardo , that you would attend to your geography a little more . It is most necessary to a soldier that he should know where his enemy is , and if he has to fight the Dutch , for instance , not to start with his army for Central Asia . '' `` I could always spot them through the magic glass , father , '' said Dick ; `` it saves such a lot of trouble . I hate geography . '' `` But the glass might be lost or broken , or the Fairies might take it away , and then where are you ? '' `` Oh , you would know where to go , or Mr. Belsham . '' Now Mr. Belsham was his tutor , from Oxford .
`` But I shall not always be here , and when I die -- '' `` Do n't talk of dying , sire , '' said XXXXX .
Asia Dick Dutch Ethiopia King Majesty Moon Prince accident p30.jpg