“What is the Greek spirit, Mr. Fenton?” During one of the rehearsals for the presentation of Odysseus, Lance McClain made this inquiry.
No one else among the group of boys and girls surrounding Mr. Fenton at the moment would have asked the question. Yet, overhearing Lance, a number of them stood waiting for the answer.
The weeks of outdoor work and study had awakened new ideas and interests.
Mr. Fenton did not reply immediately; instead, he appeared to be considering the question deeply.
Frequently he had talked of the Greek spirit. Therefore, what did he actually mean?
“I am glad you put that query to me, Lance,” he returned finally. “Half a dozen times since we began our rehearsals I have spoken of the ‘Greek spirit.’ I have emphasized the wish that we reveal it in the presentation of our tableaux. One ought not to talk glibly and be unable to offer a simple definition.
“At least I can tell you what the ‘Greek spirit’ means to me and why I want us to give expression to it in our pageant.
“Try not to be bored if I discuss the subject seriously for a few moments. You know I have been a student, not a speaker, all my life, and there are times when we all wish for the gift of tongues.”
Observing that Mr. Fenton was addressing not Lance alone who had asked the question, but the crowd of young people nearby, Memory Frean and Sheila Mason, Captain Curtis and several others came and stood on the edge of the crowd.
This afternoon they were together on the side of the stream of water where the tableaux would be presented.