The Society Circus could be enjoyed only by invitation. The tickets had been sent out only to the chosen. An invitation meant the payment of five dollars to the Hospital Fund.
Barbara was the first of the girls to be ready to start to the Fair Grounds. She wore the tan riding-habit that Ruth had loaned her. She was not to ride until later in the day, but it would not be feasible to return to the hotel to change her costume.
Miss Stuart and her party had been asked to be the guests at luncheon of Ambassador and Mrs. Morton.
Ruth and Grace were dressed in short skirts, loose blouses, and coats. They, also, looked ready for business. So only Miss Stuart and Mollie were able to wear the handsome toilets suited to the occasion. Mollie appeared in her blue silk costume. Miss Sallie was resplendent in a pearl gray broadcloth and a hat of violet orchids.
At half-past nine, Hugh Post and Ralph Ewing knocked at Miss Stuart’s sitting-room door. Barbara had already seen Ruth’s and Hugh’s automobiles waiting for them on the hotel driveway. The boys were impatient to be off.
“Kindly explain to me, Ruth,” asked Hugh, as the party finally started, “why you are carrying those two large bolts of ribbon? Are you going into the millinery business to-day?”
Ruth laughed. “Remember, if you please, that Grace and I are going in for a much more serious undertaking. These ribbons are the reins that we intend to use for our extraordinary race to-day. I shall endeavor to drive my turkey with blue strings. Grace considers red ribbon more adapted to the disposition and appearance of a rooster.”
“Well, you girls certainly have nerve to take part in such a wild goose chase!” laughed the boy.
At the Fair Grounds Miss Stuart had reserved seats for her party near the green inclosure. Just in front of them was a little platform, decorated in red, white and blue bunting. On this were seated the Ambassador, Franz Heller, Mr. Winthrop Latham, Reginald and several other prominent Lenox residents.
Grace and Ruth were not allowed to remain with their friends; they were immediately hurried off to the clubhouse, where they found eight other girls waiting for them. The entrance of the ten girls, driving their extraordinary steeds, was to be the great opening event of the Society Circus.