So Barbara gave Maud Warren the first opportunity to make the jump. But Maud was nervous; she realized she had taken an unfair advantage of Bab. Her horse refused to jump. Bab waited only an instant. Then, urging Beauty on, they rose over their last hurdle like swallows.
Barbara came cantering back to her friends, her cheeks rosy, her eyes shining with delight.
Franz Heller rushed forward with a big bunch of American Beauty roses. Flowers were the only prizes given during the day. Barbara slid down off her horse.
The Ambassador moved forward to shake hands with her; Bab’s friends were waving their handkerchiefs; but Bab had eyes for Beauty only. A stable boy had come to lead the horse away.
Barbara and Beauty Swayed an Instant in the Air.
“Good-bye, you little Beauty!” Bab whispered, with her brown head close to the horse’s face. “You are the dearest little horse in the world. Don’t I wish you were my very own!”
Ambassador Morton overheard Bab’s speech.