“Come on, children!” cried Ruth. “The automobile is waiting. My goodness!” she exclaimed, as Mollie and Bab appeared before her. “How very elegant you look! Don’t tell me fine feathers don’t make fine-looking birds! Aunt Sallie, I am not magnificent enough to associate with these two persons.” Ruth had on a beautiful white serge suit and Grace a long tan coat over a light silk dress; but, for the first time, Mollie and Barbara were the most elegantly dressed of the four girls.
“People will be taking you for the heiress, and marrying you to some horrid titled foreigner!” teased Ruth, pinching Mollie’s pretty cheek.
Miss Stuart and her girls found the English Ambassador and his wife in the stately drawing room of their summer place in Lenox. The room was sixty feet in length and hung with beautiful paintings. The walls and furniture were upholstered in rose-colored brocade. Flowers were arranged in every possible place.
The newcomers had a confused feeling that there were twenty or thirty guests in the drawing room; but as the butler announced their names their hostess moved forward from a group of friends to speak to them. In another moment Dorothy Morton spied them, and came up with her arm through that of a tall, middle-aged man, very slender, with closely cut blond hair and a long drooping mustache. He looked very intellectual and impressive.
“Miss Stuart, this is my father,” said Dorothy simply. The Ambassador bowed low over Miss Stuart’s hand. He was then introduced to each of “The Automobile Girls” in turn.
The Ambassador’s eyes twinkled. He saw his young guests were a little awed at meeting so great a diplomatic personage.
“You are the girls, aren’t you, who have been camping on one of our Berkshire hills?” the Ambassador inquired. “My daughters have told me about your delightful hut. Curious, I never heard of the little cabin’s existence. I want you to show me the place. Some day I may follow your example and run away to the woods for a few weeks. Dorothy tells me you will help us with our games next week.”
Miss Stuart excused herself. Mrs. Latham wished to talk with her in another part of the drawing room.
“May we count on you for the Gymkana races, Ruth?” asked Dorothy Morton.
“Gymkana races!” questioned Ruth, shaking her head. “What in the world can you mean?”