A card was tied around the doll's neck, and some one looking over Anne's shoulder read aloud the following inscription written upon it:
"Why have imitation actors when you can get real ones?"
Anne gave a gasp.
Who could have played this cruel trick upon her? She knew her four friends had never spoken of the happenings of Thanksgiving night, but such secrets would leak out in spite of everything, and there may have been others in the audience who had recognized her. Moreover, her father himself would not have hesitated to tell who she was, so that it was not difficult to understand how the story had spread.
But who would have the heart to hold her father up to ridicule in this way, and to cause her such secret pain and unhappiness? While her thoughts were busy, David had seized the doll and wrapped it up again. He was very angry, but it was wiser to keep silent.
"What was it, dear?" demanded Mrs. Gray, who had not been able to hear the message written on the card.
"Just a silly trick on Anne, Mrs. Gray," replied David, for Anne was too near to tears to trust the sound of her own voice.
"Something about actors, wasn't it?" asked Julia Crosby, who was hovering near, and before she could be stopped, she had snatched the doll from Anne's lap. The covers fluttered to the floor and the others pressed eagerly around to get a glimpse of it.
David leaped to his feet so vigorously that he upset a chair.
"Give that back!" he commanded. "It is not yours."