`` I ca n't tell you that either . '' `` I think you 're hateful and mean , '' exclaimed Felicity . `` It has n't anything to do with Miss Reade , so I think you might tell us . '' `` It has something to do with Miss Reade . It 's all about her . '' `` Well , I do n't see how that can be when the Awkward Man never saw or heard of Miss Reade until she came to Carlisle in the spring , '' said Felicity incredulously , `` and he 's had that locked room for years . '' `` I ca n't explain it to you -- but it 's just as I 've said , '' responded the Story Girl . `` Well , it 's a very queer thing , '' retorted Felicity . `` The name in the books in the room was Alice -- and Miss Reade 's name is Alice , '' marvelled Cecily . `` Did he know her before she came here ? '' `` Mrs. Griggs says that room has been locked for ten years . Ten years ago Miss Reade was just a little girl of ten . SHE could n't be the Alice of the books , '' argued Felicity . `` I wonder if she 'll wear the blue silk dress , '' said Sara Ray . `` And what will she do about the picture , if it is n't hers ? '' added Cecily . `` The picture could n't be hers , or Mrs. Griggs would have known her for the same when she came to Carlisle , '' said Felix . `` I 'm going to stop wondering about it , '' exclaimed Felicity crossly , aggravated by the amused smile with which the Story Girl was listening to the various speculations . `` I think Sara is just as mean as mean when she wo n't tell us . '' `` I ca n't , '' repeated the Story Girl patiently .
`` You said one time you had an idea who ` XXXXX ' was , '' I said .
Alice Carlisle Cecily Felix Griggs Man Ray Reade Sara years