She got off her horse. Jeanette then saw her father step forward and speak to her.
In another instant the accusation would follow.
If the judges had not seen what she had done, if the audience was unaware of her lack of sportsmanship, her stepmother had only to speak.
But her stepmother was leaving the group of riders and going back to her place beside Lina and Eda and Via.
Her father was coming toward her.
The brilliant flush faded from Jeanette's cheeks. Rather any one else announce her fault than her father. Worse than any accident that could have occurred to see him ashamed.
Instead his arm went about her.
"Jeanette, if you only knew how glad I am the race is over and how proud I am of you!" he exclaimed, disregarding the people about them.
Jeanette put her free hand to her throat, the other held the bunch of roses. She must speak and confess her fault if no one had seen what she had done. Useless to pretend it was an accident! It had not been. Apparently her stepmother did not intend to make any accusation against her.
"I did not win fairly," Jeanette was about to falter when Senator Marshall reached her.