◆ SpookStack

a child showing off its latest drawing. Out of the teamy: room and kitchen, there came a sense of sharing responsibitity for the com- mon good, Within a wide range of individual variations, persons became more observant of the small ways in which they could help and more ready to take the initiative. [It was a novel experience for those who were aceus- tomed to considerable deference because of their professional standing te be limited by the language difficulty in their means of expression, and to have their standing with the group depend, to a considerable extent, on their spirit of co-operation in menial tasks, As one member said, “Don’t mind the dishes we have broken: in the history of the world communities have been built at greater cost.” Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays were left free far recreation and excursions. Swimming partives and drives were always popular. Several nearby mountains were climbed by the more energetic. Dartmouth Colle invited the whole Seminar.over for the day and provided guided tours of the campus, with its fine library and Orozco murals. Mr. George G. Clark of Plymouth staged a very amusing country fair on his farm for the Seminar. Other neighbors entertaincd smaller groups delightfully. One of the hizh- spots of the summer was the visit of the Hampton Quertette. They pre- sented a beautiful program and taught the Seminar to sing some spirituals. For the Europeans it was a deeply moving introduction to the Negro, his music, and his religion. The two gala occasions of the summer were the mid-term dance and the farewell banquet. On both cccasions the enter- tainment included hilarious skits. Some members said they had not lsughed so much for several years. On Sundays those who cared to, attended a Friends meeting for worship. Some altended services in one of the local churches. Several of the singers gang in church choirs. In the evening everyone gathered on the beautiful ; terrace behind the main building for a picnic supper, followed by group - singing of American songs. It is impossible to measure the results of the summer's experience. There are no “before and after” recordings of pronunciation, no statistics of weirht gained and no systematic way of estimating changes in attitude, but eve: concerned was aware of progress in several directions. The tension in the lecture room relaxed perceptibly as Engiish sounds became more familiar. Conversation became more spontaneous as the mechanics of the language were mastered. The lectures helped to dispel groundless fears, but re: difficulties were frankly discussed, Many members looked stronger, and some looked years younger, as the good and plentiful food, the rest and sun and air took effect. The gaiety of the younger group was contagious. For some members the most important thing of all was the sense of belunzing to a communily again, of being welcomed, befriended and valued by Americans. For the staff, the Seminar was a unique opportunity to associate with brilliant persons from every part of the continent. Teaching conditions were idca and no one could fail to gain a better understanding of the whole reiugce problem and a deeper sympathy for its victims. And if we are ever tempted to think that helping cighty-two refusces, when hundreds of thousands are homeless, is only a pathetic gesture of good will, we need only remember that, in terms of the higher values, the rehabilitation of a single life ix in itseli a great achievement, and that every ideal approached in a practical way, no matier on how small a scale, is an encouragement to all the persons of good will who are looking for a way to create peace and order out of destruction and chaos.