How does Finny recapture his gift of balance and grace during the carnival? What phrase does Gene use to describe this achievement?

Finny declares the games open, with a torch made of a flaming copy of The Illiad. Finny is definitely cheered up by the whole little festival, and the other boys are very pleased, full of hard cider and happy for the break. I'm not quite sure which phrase you are looking for but I like, "The Games, alight with Homer and cider, were open."