Among them were skilled critics of art work.

When their eyes fell upon the butter lion, they forgot the purpose for which they had come in their wonder at such a work of genius.

They looked at the lion long and carefully, and asked Signer Faliero what great sculptor had been persuaded to waste his skill upon such a temporary material.

Faliero could not tell; so he asked the head servant, who brought Antonio before the company.
When the distinguished guests learned that the lion had been made in a short time by a scullion, the dinner was turned into a feast in his honor.

The rich host declared that he would pay the boy's expenses under the best masters, and he kept his word.