“Good for you!” cried Patty. “I love postcards too.”
“They’re so useful,” said Violet, “to direct your cabman where to go. The cabmen never talk English, but if you show a postcard, they take you right to the place. Go out with us to-morrow, won’t you, and let’s visit the Forum together?”
“Indeed I will,” said Patty, “I’d love to. But I suppose I must start in on the churches pretty soon. I’ll admire them, I expect, but I know they won’t take hold of me as the ruins do.”
“So the ruins have caught you, have they?” said a deep voice behind Patty’s chair, and turning quickly, she saw Peter Homer, smiling down at her.
“Mr. Homer!” she cried, delightedly, as she jumped up to greet him.
“I told you I’d appear sooner or later,” he said, smiling at her surprise.
“And I’m glad you came as soon as you did!” she replied merrily, and then she introduced him to the Van Winkles, and Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield added their welcome.
“I’m just here on one of my wonder-wanders,” said Mr. Homer, by way of explaining his sudden appearance. “Every few years I run down to Rome, and wander about, wondering. It’s a most satisfying occupation, and I never tire of it.”
“That’s a good expression,” said Patty, thoughtfully. “I believe I’d rather wander around and wonder, than to know it all.”