“Thank you, Mr. Heller,” said Barbara, gratefully. Her cheeks were crimson; her brown eyes flashed, but she made no reply. Mollie, who knew Bab’s quick temper, wondered how her sister controlled herself.
A horn blew to announce that the luncheon hour was ended.
“Run along, child,” Miss Stuart called nervously to Bab. “Now, do, pray be careful! I shall certainly be glad when this riding contest is over.”
While the guests of the Society Circus were at luncheon the field had been arranged for the hurdle-jumping.
Inside the green meadow four short length fences had been set up, a quarter of a mile apart. The girls were to ride around the field on their horses and jump the four hurdles.
Besides Bab and Maud Warren, four other Lenox girls had entered for this race. The riders were all skilled horsewomen.
Ambassador Morton waved his hand to Bab as she cantered by him on his little horse, Beauty. Her friends called out their good wishes. Bab smiled and nodded. She never looked so well or so happy as when she was on the back of a horse.
Ambassador Morton cautioned the girls before they started for their ride. “Remember, this is just a friendly contest,” he urged. “We merely want to see you young people ride. No one may allow her horse to cross too close in front of another horse. Two of you must not try to jump the hurdle at the same time.”
The six girls cantered bravely down the field.
Maud Warren and Bab rode side by side. Barbara was the youngest and smallest of the girls, but she rode her little horse as though she were a part of it.