None of them had, so Floyd explained.
“It’s a little panorama sort of thing,” he said, as he exhibited its pages, “with pictures of all the Roman places of interest. But the beautiful part of it is the description of each sight. It is evidently written by an Italian, whose linguistic lore is limited. You see on each page is an English paragraph, and also the same information in German, French and Italian. Listen, I’ll read you the note about the Piazza of St. Peter’s. ‘This majestic place of elliptical form with the vast front of the Cathedral and the imposing Cupola, masterpiece of Michelangelo that it appears to elevate itself to the Heaven, forms with the two round porticos in four rows of columns all what here is of more sumptuous. For enjoying the most fine panorama it must go until to the Cupola of St. Peter. By the summit of this monument the town is extending under our eyes with all its remarkable buildings. Not so far there is the Tiber. This historical river on dragging along slowly its waters, divides the city into two unequal parts. In front, by a side we see the Alban mountains, of Tivoli, of the Sabine, and by the other, the sea that with its sweetness seems that our weakened eyes are reposing for the view of so much beauties.’”
“Oh, I say, Floyd,” broke in Peter Homer, “are you reading that as it is?”
“Yes, truly,” said Austin. “Isn’t it great! Just listen to this: ‘On the right of the majestic place is elevated the Vatican that is a whole of palaces containing all what can be of more rich in the world.’”
“It’s perfectly delicious,” said Patty, as soon as she could for laughing. “I must have one of those books.”
“I’ll give each of the club members one,” said Floyd. “They’re cheap little affairs, the postcard men sell them; but the pictures are really good, and you never heard anything so funny as the descriptions.”
“Indeed they are funny,” agreed Peter. “We’ll each carry a copy wherever we go. Read us a little more.” But just then tea was served, and the young people turned their attention to that interesting episode.
Floyd Austin sauntered over and took a seat beside Milly Mills.
“Delightful music, isn’t it?” he said, with intent of opening a conversation, and as the orchestra was really a fine one, he expected the girl to agree.
“I hate music while I’m eating,” was the surprising response, and Floyd looked at the girl to see if she were jesting.