“Is this your Venice?” asked Patty, glancing about at the crowds.
“Yes, it’s all my Venice. I mean the way we’re seeing it to-night. The rapid impressions of the moonlight and water, followed by this gay and lively scene, is Venice. And to-morrow—many to-morrows, I shall show you other sides of the city’s charm, until you can mingle all your memories into a perfect picture of the whole.”
“You are so good to me,” said Patty; “I like to have you take such an interest in my sight-seeing.”
“And I like to take it, but suppose you see if you can take an interest in these ices and cakes that are approaching us.”
“I just guess I can!” said Patty. “I’m as hungry as if I were in New York!”
CHAPTER XIX
PIGEONS AND POETRY
THE days in Venice rippled by so happily that Patty couldn’t realise how fast they were going. Their own party was usually joined by some or all of the three young men, whose hotel was not far away.
Although it was in early November, the weather was only pleasantly crisp, and during much of the day it was warm, with an Indian summer haze in the air.
“What mood this morning, oh, Fair One with golden locks?” said Floyd Austin, as he came into the hotel and found Patty idly sitting in the reading-room.