Chapter V
Incense
Mrs. Garrison took her sight-seeing seriously. With a guide-book in her hand and frequent references to catalogues, she garnered facts with thoroughness and enthusiasm. Executive as she was in organizing her perfectly running household, she was no less so in classifying schools of art, and possessing herself of a clarifying knowledge of dates. She could have repeated all the arguments concerning the original inspiration of Lo Sposalio, and knew how and when Romans changed the form of Ionic capitals; but if you had asked her which pleased her most, it would have puzzled her to tell you.
In his capacity of guide she found Curatulo disappointing. His knowledge had evidently been acquired by erratic impulse, and was not nearly so much to be relied upon as that of the custode; but he cared very much for certain things and expressed himself about them in a way which pleased and interested Anne more than her aunt’s accurate information.
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