. By and by Lucy
stopped eating and Tory, fascinated, went on with her drawing.

CHAPTER XIV

DISAGREEMENTS

The decision to take part with the Boy Scouts in the presentation of
the Greek pageant representing the adventures of Odysseus was largely
brought about through Mr. Richard Fenton's interest.

He it was who finally persuaded the Troop Captain, Sheila Mason, to
give her consent. Of chief importance was her point of view, since she
must be responsible for her own Girl Scouts.

For many years Mr. Fenton had been an enthusiastic Greek scholar. To
him it appeared more than ordinarily worth while to stimulate among
the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts an interest in the historic legends
of the past. In his estimation the history of Greece was of greater
importance than any other nation. In the history of Greece one finds
the model of the first known Democratic government in the world and
according to many historians the best.

The outdoor life of the American Scouts, planned to develop them
mentally and physically, to make better citizens and wiser men and
women, had its counterpart in the lives of the early Greeks, centered
about their Olympian games.

A series of tableaux, accompanied by a recitation of the story of one
of the two great Homeric poems, would not alone broaden the outlook of
the young people who took part. Mr. Fenton had a shrewd idea that it
would awaken among the older people in Westhaven a wider vision of
beauty. Like most small towns, Westhaven was too self-centered. Mr.
Fenton did not wish the little New England village to share in the
opprobrium of "Main Street."

Why was it not a portion of the work of the Scouts to bring fresh
ideals of beauty and romance into their own environments? Mr. Richard
Fenton considered this an important part of their service.

To-day, seated with the fourteen Girl Scouts in a circle about her,
Sheila Mason was wondering if she had not been more idealistic than
practical.

The girls were in their own council chamber in Beech wood Forest. No
one else was within sight or hearing.

The story of the "Odyssey" lay open in Sheila Mason's lap.

Katherine Moore, in her wheeled chair, held another copy. Bending over
her, reading from the same pages, were Margaret Hale and Louise
Miller.

A few feet away Tory Drew and Dorothy McClain were writing on large
sheets of paper the instructions that were offered them from time to
time.

Teresa Peterson, slipp