The rest of the letter was brief, and intended for Nora’s eye alone. It explained why she had written a certain little poem which she enclosed, for during Nora’s short stay at Rockley she had proved more appreciative of Amy’s literary work than Brenda. Brenda liked almost everything that Amy wrote. After they once knew that she wrote verse, Amy was persuaded to let the girls at Rockley read much that she had written.
Nora was more discriminating. In consequence, Amy heeded Nora’s suggestion, and had sent her one or two poems to read. Incidentally, in the letter, she gave her what news she could of Brenda and the others.
Mrs. Redmond had hesitated at first about accepting the wheel. But Mr. and Mrs. Barlow so pleasantly gave their reasons for wishing Amy to ride with Brenda, that it seemed ungracious to refuse.
“Besides,” said Mrs. Barlow, “we were intending to get Brenda a new bicycle this month, as her own is no longer fit for her to ride. But a strange thing happened yesterday. Brenda had a note from Frances Pounder, saying that she had ordered her own new chainless wheel to be sent over to Brenda from Nahant. She feels grateful to Brenda for her exertions the other day, and she knew that Brenda has desired a chainless wheel. Poor Frances herself will not be able to ride this season, as the injury to her foot is much more serious than the family at first thought. As we have not to buy a wheel for Brenda, I hope that you will let us give this one to Amy instead.”
Mrs. Redmond was too sensible a woman to refuse a
