rying Anita

aron Von Lodge was the head of a small country known as Lilliland near Switzerland. The time was the early 1900s.

The Baron grew up in Lilliland Castle with all of its mysterious stories and secrets. The Baron was very curious about the large oil painting that hung in a back hallway for years. The staff would watch Anita, the lady in the oil painting, and if Anita cried it was going to be a bad, stormy day. If Anita had no morning tears it was safe to plan a day filled with outdoor activities. When Anita cried it would be a bad day for horseback riding and going up into the mountains. The Baron heard of the staff's belief in the painting's forecasting and did not like the idea of such an unscientific way of planning the day's events.

The Baron spoke with Lady Angela of Alpine Castle about the circumstances of the oil painting. Together they decided to summon Professor Hamblin down from his cabin retreat high atop Alpine Mountain. The Baron would contact the Professor by special messenger explaining the problem that the staff was giving the oil painting some supernatural powers.

Professor Hamblin examined the painting of Anita and after a few days and several tests on the "tears," it was discovered that the mystery had an explanation. The tears were condensation from the ceiling due to the moisture in the air, which was a sign of rain. When the picture was moved a few feet away in the same hallway, Anita did not cry anymore and the mystery was solved to everyone's delight.

Both Lady Angela and Baron Von Lodge wanted everyone to know the scientific explanation for crying Anita so they could separate fact from fiction and truth from rumor. In this manner they could make decisions for themselves more intelligently.