“Trajan was, at first. But he has been replaced by a statue of St. Peter.”
“I’m glad I’m going to see it,” said Patty, contentedly. “I love columns.”
“That’s right, child. Learn to know columns and arches and steps, and you’re fairly started on the road to architecture.”
“Steps!” cried Patty, in surprise, “are steps ever beautiful?”
“Yes, indeed. Don’t you remember I called your attention to them many times in London. Those of the church of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field, for instance.”
“Oh, yes, I remember those—I must look up this matter of steps.”
“I’ll show you plenty in Italy. I’m not going to overburden you, Patty, with instructive lore, but you must acquire a general knowledge of what you’re seeing.”
“Yes, I want to. I don’t want to talk like the people who say, ‘I don’t know a thing about art, but I know what I like.’”
“If you ever express that sentiment, I’ll disown you. Some people invariably like the wrong things.”