Page 388 - The Story of My Lif

said she had talked with her teacher about Jack Frost and the wonderful things he

did.”

The only person that we supposed might possibly have read the story to Helen
was her friend, Mrs. Hopkins, whom she was visiting at the time in Brewster. I
asked Miss Sullivan to go at once to see Mrs. Hopkins and ascertain the facts in
the matter.

The result of her investigation is embodied in the printed note herewith enclosed.
[This note is a statement of the bare facts and an apology, which Mr. Anagnos
inserted in his report of the Perkins Institute.]

I have scarcely any doubt that Miss Canby’s little book was read to Helen, by
Mrs. Hopkins, in the summer of 1888. But the child has no recollection whatever
of this fact. On Miss Sullivan’s return to Brewster, she read to Helen the story of
“Little Lord Fauntleroy,” which she had purchased in Boston for the purpose.

The child was at once fascinated and absorbed with the charming story, which
evidently made a deeper impression upon her mind than any previously read to
her, as was shown in the frequent reference to it, both in her conversation and
letters, for many months afterward. Her intense interest in Fauntleroy must have

buried all remembrance of “Frost Fairies,” and when, more than three years later,
she had acquired a fuller knowledge and use of language, and was told of Jack
Frost and his work, the seed so long buried sprang up into new thoughts and
fancies. This may explain the reason why Helen claims persistently that “The
Frost King” is her own story. She seems to have some idea of the difference
between original composition and reproduction. She did not know the meaning
of the word “plagiarism” until quite recently, when it was explained to her. She
is absolutely truthful. Veracity is the strongest element of her character. She was
very much surprised and grieved when she was told that her composition was an
adaptation of Miss Canby’s story of “Frost Fairies.” She could not keep back her
tears, and the chief cause of her pain seemed to be the fear lest people should
doubt her truthfulness. She said, with great intensity of feeling, “I love the
beautiful truth.” A most rigid examination of the child of about two hours’
duration, at which eight persons were present and asked all sorts of questions