“Did he really say it, Miss Hart?”
“Well, you see, Delight, Shakespeare’s plays, though founded on historical facts, are not really history. And, then, we must remember that this play was written sixteen hundred years after the death of Cæsar, and though true, in part, to history and tradition, much of it is Shakespeare’s own fancy and imagination. As we study it we must try to appreciate his wonderful command of thought and language.”
“What is a soothsayer, Miss Hart?” asked Marjorie, who was already devouring the first pages with her eager eyes.
Then Miss Hart explained all about the soothsayers and fortune-tellers of ancient times; and how, at that time, people put faith in the prognostications of witches and astrologers, which facts were utilized by Shakespeare to lend picturesqueness and mystery to his plays. So enthralled were the two girls with the descriptions of wizardry and soothsaying, and so many questions did they ask of Miss Hart, that the morning was gone before they had time to begin the actual reading of the play.
“But I didn’t expect to read it to-day,” said Miss Hart, smiling at Marjorie’s dismay when she found it was half-past twelve. “This is our literature class, and if we devote about one day a week to it, we’ll get through the play by vacation time, and next term we’ll take up another.”
“But I can read it at home, can’t I?” asked Midget.
“Yes, if you like. But there will be much that you can’t understand. Our study of it will branch out into Roman history in general, and the manners and customs of ancient Rome, as well as the art and architecture.”
“Oh, Miss Hart,” exclaimed Marjorie, “it is such fun to come to school to you. It’s so different from regular school-work.”
“I’m glad you like it, dear, and I’m quite sure you’re learning as much and as useful knowledge as is taught in the average school.”
“I know we are,” said Midget, with conviction. “I’ve been to regular school, and I know all about it.”