One morning, three days after the game, and when the excitement which had followed it had somewhat abated, as Ward, after passing Tim on their way out from Mr. Crane’s room, and returning the glance of hatred which the captain of the nine had given him, was recalled by Mr. Crane, he stopped a moment in front of his desk.
"I haven’t seen you to speak to you since the game," said Mr. Crane kindly. "I wanted to tell you that I rejoiced in your success, but perhaps you may have heard all the words of that kind that you care to hear."
"Not from you," replied Ward, his face flushing with pleasure.
"What are you reading in your Greek now?" inquired Mr. Crane.
"Homer," said Ward, wondering what that had to do with the game with the Burrs.
"Do you recall the term which Homer applies to Achilles?"
"And what is the term which is so frequently given the Greek heroes?"
"Why they’re called ’well-greaved,’ and ’great-souled,’ ’great-hearted,’ and, and----"
"That’s the word I wanted. The great-hearted, great-souled men. There’s a Latin word which is almost the equivalent of the term, and the word was such a good one that it has been retained in many languages, and has come down to us in a form but slightly modified. Do you know what the word is?"
Ward hesitated a moment, and then, as his mind always worked rapidly, his face lightened up as he said, "Why, it’s the word ’magnanimous,’ isn’t it?"
"That’s the very word. And what does that word literally mean, then?"
"That’s right. I mustn’t detain you any longer or you’ll be late for your Greek. Come and see me some time soon, Hill."
Ward went out of the room, but he was somewhat puzzled over his interview with the teacher. What did Mr. Crane mean by asking him those questions? Was he only trying to test his knowledge? Ward knew better than that. Mr. Crane was not one to put idle questions to him, especially at such a time as he had chosen for the brief interview. But what could he mean?
Ward entered the Greek room, but he only partially heard what Dr. Gray was saying to the class. Boy after boy was called upon to recite, but Ward was giving slight heed to what was occurring about him. His thoughts were upon Mr. Crane’s strange questions. What could he mean by them? He never assumed that manner, his eyes slightly twinkling as if there was some concealed joke in his mind and his grave, quiet ways being all the more impressive, without having something more than the mere questions in his mind.