anchor: They were even planning what might best be done to chastise him when he discovered in some manner a book of elementary conjuration and did then devise some strange new formula from the elements with which magic he disappeared."  It was nice to know that Einstein had given up on the problem, Dave thought bitterly.
positive: They wanted to chastise him but then he found a strange new formula which allowed him to disappear.
negative: They were OK with him and he didn't have to do anything.