And Mrs. Beauchamp said she would find the reason inside the little basket fastened to the handle-bars. The old lady turned away, and pretended to look out of one of the little coloured glass windows, while Monica read the few words on a tiny card which she found:-- "For an unselfish girl, from her loving GRANNIE." A lump rose in Monica’s throat as she stepped across the little summer-house and bent down and kissed the face which only a few short months ago she had thought so stern and unlovable. _How_ different everything was nowadays! "I didn’t do it for a reward, grannie dear," she whispered. "I never dreamt of such a thing. I _quite_ gave up all thought of the bicycle when I chose the five pounds." "I know you did, my child," replied the old lady, while she furtively wiped her eyes, which were suspiciously moist, although she was smiling now; "but you see, _I_ didn’t! And as I knew nothing about these things, I took Mr. Bertram into my confidence, and told him to choose just the right kind and size; and I should think he has done his work very well. Now you will have something to amuse your friends with, to-day." "We shall have to take great care not to knock it about," said Monica. "Ah! that reminds me: Mr. Bertram advised your learning to ride on an old one first, so I have ordered Brown’s to send a man over with one from Osmington this morning, and if you like to spend a little time in having a lesson, he can stay. I daresay the girls would find it amusing." "To see me tumble off, grannie?" cried Monica merrily. "Well, don’t hurt your ankle again, or anything else," cautioned her grandmother; "I should prefer to hand you over whole to your father when he comes." The next hour passed quickly, and then the Franklyns and Amethyst arrived. Monica, all excitement, took them straight to the summer-house, not noticing, in her eagerness, that her friends seemed quite as excited as herself. But they no sooner saw the bicycle than Olive, who could contain herself no longer, exclaimed: "It’s _exactly_ the same!" and then it was Monica’s turn to look puzzled. However, the mystery was soon cleared up, as she learnt that there had been a great surprise at the doctor’s that morning, too; a bicycle, the exact counterpart of Monica’s, having been delivered there addressed to, "The Misses Elsa and Olive Franklyn"; and a little note attached to it stated that it was a birthday gift to the twins, with love and best wishes from Mrs. Beauchamp. "How splendid of grannie!" cried Monica enthusiastically; "now we shall have some lovely rides together." "Won’t it be jolly?" said Olive, who was beside herself with pleasure, and Elsa’s quietly happy face was good to see. "Poor Thistle, you are the only one left out! Never mind, you shall use mine sometimes," Monica said, suddenly remembering that this new departure would make Amethyst feel rather out of it.