Halfway to the club, Jeanette found her father's glance catching her own.
"You will be careful to-day, Jeanette? Promise me? If anything should happen to you I should feel responsible. You are too young for such an experience. Won't you simply try to ride as well as possible but make no effort to win? In any case it would be out of the question."
Via touched her hand.
"Please promise, Jeanette. I am anxious about you too," the younger girl pleaded.
A low burst of laughter came from Cecil Perry, who was seated next the chauffeur. It may not have borne any relation to the conversation which he was overhearing, nevertheless it irritated Jeanette, whose nerves were less under her control than she appreciated.
Observing that her sister did not intend to reply, Lina made a hasty remark to fill the breach.
In spite of the fact that the entire audience had been invited, there were many spectators crowding the grounds.
Overhead the sky was a thick, warm blue, while from across the prairies the midsummer wind blew sweet and strong.
Jeanette stood close beside her father, feeling a keen desire to apologize to him for her attitude since his marriage. She would abandon entering the race at this last moment if he so desired.
Suppose she should be regarded as a coward, after all what did this matter?