distance will add to the
illusion. The Palace of Odysseus with the courtyard in front where
most of the scenes will take place, can be constructed in front of the
grove of trees. Odysseus can land on what is supposed to be the island
of the Sea-Kings from a Greek galley rowed up the stream. And I shall
appear with my maidens who come down to the banks to wash the imperial
clothes of my royal family. Until the moment to appear before the
audience the players can be concealed beyond the trees."

Closing her eyes and clasping her hands ecstatically together, Tory
exclaimed:

"Can you not see the entire scene, the beauty and glamour, what Uncle
Richard calls the Greek spirit that we are to portray?"

Joan Peters laughed and shook her head.

"No, Tory dear, I am afraid not. We cannot all see it, although I must
only speak for myself. Can't you appreciate that we are not all
possessed of the artistic temperament and gifted with the power of
seeing visions? I am a humdrum person who has to be shown."

Joan moved away to join another group.

"Tory, yours is a fortunate gift, I am not pretending to deny it.
There are times when I envy you. Still, dear, some of us before we can
behold the completed masterpiece, are obliged to consider how we can
get a sufficient number of chairs out here to permit the audience to
be seated comfortably," Memory Frean interposed.

The girl looked at her half challengingly.

"I am not so unpractical as you may think. Uncle Richard and I drove
out here a few days ago and discussed the very problem of how to seat
our audience. He promised to have any number of chairs sent out at his
expense. We can guess the number required by the tickets we shall
sell. I have an idea our audience will be very large. After paying for
our costumes and scenery there will still be a good deal of money to
be divided between the Boy Scout Troop and our own."

"A noteworthy conclusion, Tory. I am glad you have made the necessary
decisions and arrangements without waiting for the other arrivals. A
confusion of tongues just adds to a confusion of ideas," Lance McClain
remarked, jumping from his bicycle and unexpectedly joining the small
group.

Apparently he had ridden on ahead of his Scout Troop.

He turned now and greeted Miss Frean.

Then he came over toward Tory.

"I don't wish to be teased, Lance. Of course I have not made any
decision and nothing positive can be decided until the vote is taken.
I have o