He also took them to the Cambio, once a Chamber of Commerce, to see
Perugino's frescoes, which he told them are more important in the world
of art than are his easel pictures. Here they seated themselves against
the wall wainscoted with rare wooden sculptures, on the same bench on
which all lovers of the old painter's art who have visited Perugia
through four centuries have sat.

[Illustration: PERUGINO. UFFIZI GALLERY FLORENCE.

HEAD OF MADONNA. FROM MADONNA AND SAINTS.]

And here they studied long the figures of those old Roman heroes chosen
by Perugino to symbolize the virtues; figures which possess a unique
and irresistible charm because of their athletic proportions and
vigorous action, while their faces are sweet, womanish, and tender, full
of the pensive, mystic devotion which is so characteristic of this old
master and his pupils.




Chapter XII.

Robert Sumner Fights a Battle.

_So nigh is grandeur to our dust,
So near is God to man,
When duty whispers low, Thou must,
The youth replies, I can._