Later on she spoke to Annie herself about it.

"Haven't you something else written that you can show me ?" She had even suggested the possibility, the desirability, of Annie's taking up a literary career, but she had found the girl very evasive, even secretive, and had never broached the subject again.
As for Margaret Edes, she had never fairly listened to anything which anybody except herself had written, unless it had afforded matter for discussion, and the display of her own brilliancy.

Annie's productions were so modestly conclusive as to apparently afford no standing ground for argument.

In her heart, Margaret regarded them as she regarded Annie's personality, with a contempt so indifferent that it was hardly contempt.
She proceeded exactly as if Annie had not made such a fervent disclaimer.

"The Zenith Club is the one and only thing which lifts Fairbridge, and the women of Fairbridge, above the common herd," said she majestically.
"Don't I know it?
Oh, Margaret, don't I know it," cried the other with such feverish energy that Margaret regarded her wonderingly.