“This is the last day of our training,” explained Agis. “To-morrow we start on our journey, and in three days begin the great games in Olympia. May the gods grant me patience to live till then!” he went on excitedly. “But you haven’t yet told us what Olympia _is_,” urged Diana. “Strange that you are ignorant of the Olympic Games which are renowned throughout the world,” sighed Agis. “Yet do I remember that Sheshà bade me have patience to tell you everything. “Know then, as all the world but you, O maidens, are aware, that every five years, at Olympia, which is in a part of Greece called Elis, games are held at which it is the highest honour in the world to compete. For the four years between the great year of the games, all youths who are Grecian by birth are trained at schools called gymnasia—one of which you have lately beheld. “Towards the end of the fourth year, in every part of our country, those who have best acquitted themselves in the training are chosen to go to Olympia and contend for the prizes.” “Then _you_ are chosen,” said Rachel joyfully. “I to my great content am to run in the first race, and my elder brother, Phidolas, is also among the athletes. _He_ is to compete in the horse race, for he is a skilled rider, and has the most perfect mare that was ever bred,” he added enthusiastically. “Her name is Aura, and presently, if it please you, we will see her.” “Oh, we _love_ horses!” exclaimed Diana. “Do tell us some more about the games. Who began them? How long have they been going on?” “For a thousand years and more. Zeus, father of all the gods, first commanded them to take place, to celebrate his victory over the giants who, before him, ruled the world. Since then, they have been held, as I have already said, every four years, for the honour and glory of heroes.” “_Zeus_ is the same as Jupiter, I think,” whispered Diana to Rachel. “Yes. I remember. Father told me so.” By this time Agis had stopped at one of the doors set in the blank wall of a narrow street, and he lifted and let fall the knocker with a resounding clang. “This is my home. I must set some repast before you, for indeed you must need it, O strange and ignorant maidens,” he added, with his teasing schoolboy smile. The door was opened at the moment by an old man whom the children at once guessed to be a servant. “Or a _slave_, I expect,” said Rachel, as Agis hurried on in front. “They had slaves in Greece, didn’t they?” “Now we shall see the inside of a Greek house as it was thousands of years ago,” returned Diana eagerly.... “Isn’t this a _splendid_ adventure?” They found themselves in a passage which led into a square courtyard roofed by the blue sky. A colonnade ran the length of the four sides of this courtyard, and from it on the side away from the open space, they saw various rooms. Agis pushed back a door, and called to the children to follow him. “It is past noon,” he said, “and our meal is already served. Enter and eat with us.”