“Good for you,” said her father, “to recognise it. Yes, that’s it, and next to it you may see Trajan’s Forum.”
“Not a very big one,” said Patty, a little disappointed, “but very tidy and set in neat rows.”
“Well, the columns weren’t just like that to begin with,” said Mr. Fairfield, “but they’ve been set up in straight rows since.”
They went on for some distance, and then, at a word from Mr. Fairfield, the driver paused and stopped at a point that commanded a fine view of the Coliseum.
Patty first sat and looked at it. Indeed, they all sat silent, looking at the great structure, as its wonderful lines stood out against the blue sky.
“I didn’t think it was like that,” said Patty, at last. “I’ve seen pictures of it, but, well, I don’t think it takes a good picture!”
“No, it doesn’t,” agreed Mr. Fairfield. “No photograph or painting of the Coliseum can give the least idea of the calm sublimity of the building itself.”
They drove round it, Patty becoming more and more deeply interested at every step; but Mr. Fairfield said they would not go inside that day, as he had other plans.
So they went on, under the great arch of Constantine, and at this Patty was again dumb with awed admiration.
“How big the things are,” she said.