AtfirstMr.Anagnos,thoughdeeplytroubled,seemedtobelieveme.Hewasunusuallytenderandkindtome,andforabriefspacetheshadowlifted.TopleasehimItriednottobeunhappy,andtomakemyselfasprettyaspossibleforthecelebrationofWashingtonsbirthday,whichtookplaceverysoonafterIreceivedthesadnews.

    IwastobeCeresinakindofmasquegivenbytheblindgirls.HowwellIrememberthegracefuldraperiesthatenfoldedme,thebrightautumnleavesthatwreathedmyhead,andthefruitandgrainatmyfeetandinmyhands,ahallthepietyofthemasquetheoppressivesenseofingillthatmademyheartheavy.

    ThenightbeforethecelebratioheteachersoftheInstitutionhadaskedmeaquestionectedwith"TheFrostKing,"andIwastellihatMissSullivanhadtalkedtomeaboutJackFrostandhiswonderfulworks.SomethingIsaidmadeherthiectedinmywordsafessionthatIdidrememberMissbysstoryof"TheFrostFairies,"andshelaidherclusionsbeforeMr.Anagnos,althoughIhadtoldhermostemphaticallythatshewasmistaken.

    Mr.Anagnos,wholovedmetenderly,thinkingthathehadbeendeceived,turnedadeafeartothepleadingsofloveandinnoce.Hebelieved,oratleastsuspected,thatMissSullivanandIhaddeliberatelystolenthebrightthoughtsofanotherandimposedthemonhimtowinhisadmiration.IwasbroughtbeforeacourtofiigationposedoftheteachersandofficersoftheInstitution,andMissSullivanwasaskedtoleaveme.ThenIwasquestionedandcross-questiohwhatseemedtomeadeterminationoofmyjudgestoforcemetoaowledgethatIrememberedhavinghad"TheFrostFairies"readtome.Ifeltineveryquestionthedoubtandsuspithatwasintheirminds,aoo,thata