CHAPTER XVI
AT THE AMBASSADOR'S
"Shall we walk down to the postoffice, Ruth?" Barbara asked. "I amawfully anxious for a letter from mother."
"Let's all go!" urged Grace. "We have just time enough before dressingfor our call at the Ambassador's. I am told that everyone goes for hisown letters in Lenox. We shall see all the social lights. They say titledforeigners line up in front of the Lenox postoffice to look forheiresses. Ruth, you are our only heiress. Here's a chance for you!"teased Grace.
Ruth looked provoked. "I won't be called horrid names, Grace Carter!" sheasserted, indignantly. "Heiress or no heiress, when my turn comes for ahusband I won't look at any old foreigner. A good American citizen willbe a fine enough husband for me!"
"Hear! hear!" laughed Mollie, putting on her hat. "Don't let us quarrelover Ruth's prospective husband just at present. It reminds me of the oldmaid who shed tears before the pot of boiling fat. When her neighborinquired what troubled her, the spinster said she was thinking that ifshe had ever been married her child might have played in the kitchen, andmight have fallen into the pot of boiling oil! Come on, 'old maid Ruth,'let's be off."
The girls walked briskly through the bracing mountain air.
"I expect you will have a letter from Hugh or Ralph, Ruth," Barbarasuggested. "They told you they would write you if they could come toLenox for the week of games."
Ruth went into the postoffice to inquire for their mail. The other girlswaited on the outside. A tall young woman swept by them, leading abeautiful English deerhound on a long silver chain. She had very blondhair and light blue eyes. Her glance rested on Barbara for the space ofhalf a second.
"Dear me!" Barbara laughed. "How very young and insignificant thatintensely superior person makes me feel! Maybe she is one of theheiresses Grace told us about."
"Here is a letter for you, Grace!" said Ruth, returning to her friends."The one addressed to you, Bab, is probably for you and Mollie together.It is from your mother. Then I have two letters for myself and two forAunt Sallie. It is all right; Hugh and Ralph will be here the first thingnext week," announced Ruth, tearing open one of her notes.
"What would Aunt Sallie say if she could see us opening our mail on thestreet?" queried Barbara, as she promptly followed Ruth's bad example."But this is such a quiet spot, under these old elms, that I must have apeep at mother's letter. Mother is having a beautiful time in St. Paulwith Cousin Betty, Molliekins," continued Bab. "And what do you think?Our queer old cousin is sending us another present. What has come overher? First she sends the beautiful silk dresses and now--but motherdoesn't tell what this last gift is. She says it is to be a surprise forus when we come back from Lenox."
"What fun!" cried Mollie. "Our crabbed cousin is having a slight changeof heart. She has always been dreadfully bored with Bab and me," Mollieexplained to Ruth and Grace, "but she is devoted to mother, and used towant her to live with her. But she never could make up her mind to endureus girls. Tell me some more news, Bab."
"Well," Barbara read on, "mother has had a letter from Mr. Stuart; butRuth's letter will give her this news. He writes that his new gold mineis a perfect wonder. I am so glad for you, Ruth, dear!" Barbara ended.
"Oh!" Ruth exclaimed. "Father is so lucky! But we really don't need anymore money. Just think, father only has Aunt Sallie and poor me to spendit all on. If he only had a big family it would be worth while to growricher and richer. I wish you were really my sisters. Then you would letme share some of all this money with you, Bab dear," whispered Ruth inher best friend's ear, as the two girls dropped behind Mollie and Grace.
Barbara shook her head. Yet the tears started to her eyes in spite of thefact that she was out on the street. "You generous darling!" she replied."If you aren't sharing your money with us by giving us all these goodtimes, what are you doing? But, of course, we couldn't take your money inany other way. Mollie and I are used to being poor. We don't mind it sovery much. Let's hurry. Aunt Sallie will want us to put on our bestclothes for our call at the Ambassador's. Thank goodness for CousinBetty's present to Mollie and me of the silk suits. We have never hadsuch fine clothes before in our lives."
"Miss Sallie," inquired Barbara, an hour later, "will Mollie and I do forthe call at the Ambassador's? You know this is the great event in ourlives. Who knows but the Ambassador may even shake hands with humble me!Do Ambassadors shake hands, Aunt Sallie? Why, 'The Automobile Girls' maymeet the President some day, we are getting so high in the world."
"Who knows indeed, Barbara?" responded Miss Stuart complacently. "Farmore unlikely things have often happened. You and Mollie look very well,dear. Indeed, I never saw you in more becoming frocks. They are verydainty and stylish."
"Aunt Sallie," confessed Mollie, "I never had a silk dress before in allmy life. Bab had one made over from an old one of mother's, but this ispositively my first appearance 'in silk attire.'"
Bab's costume was of apricot rajah silk, made with a plaited skirt and along coat, which fastened across her chest with a single gilt ornament.With it she wore a delicate lace blouse over silk of the same shade asher suit. Her hat was a large black chip with one long curling feather.
Mollie's dress was like Bab's, except that it was a delicate shade ofrobin's-egg blue, while her hat was of soft white felt, trimmed with along blue feather.
"Let us look at ourselves in the mirror, Bab, until Miss Sallie isready," whispered Mollie. "I want to try to get used to my appearance.Maybe you think this wealthy-looking person you now behold is somerelative of yours--possibly your sister! But just understand that, as Ilook at myself in that mirror, nothing can make me believe I am poorlittle Mollie Thurston, of Kingsbridge, New Jersey! Why, I am now aboutto call on the English Ambassador, younger brother to an earl. But I am abrave girl. I shall put on as bold a front as possible, and I shall trynot to disgrace Aunt Sallie by making any breaks."
"You goose you!" laughed Bab. "But to tell you the truth, sweet MistressMollie, I feel pretty much as you do. There is Ruth calling us. They areready to start."
"Come on, children!" cried Ruth. "The automobile is waiting. Mygoodness!" she exclaimed, as Mollie and Bab appeared before her. "Howvery elegant you look! Don't tell me fine feathers don't makefine-looking birds! Aunt Sallie, I am not magnificent enough to associatewith these two persons." Ruth had on a beautiful white serge suit andGrace 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 somehorrid titled foreigner!" teased Ruth, pinching Mollie's pretty cheek.
Miss Stuart and her girls found the English Ambassador and his wife inthe stately drawing room of their summer place in Lenox. The room wassixty feet in length and hung with beautiful paintings. The walls andfurniture were upholstered in rose-colored brocade. Flowers were arrangedin every possible place.
The newcomers had a confused feeling that there were twenty or thirtyguests in the drawing room; but as the butler announced their names theirhostess moved forward from a group of friends to speak to them. Inanother moment Dorothy Morton spied them, and came up with her armthrough that of a tall, middle-aged man, very slender, with closely cutblond hair and a long drooping mustache. He looked very intellectual andimpressive.
"Miss Stuart, this is my father," said Dorothy simply. The Ambassadorbowed low over Miss Stuart's hand. He was then introduced to each of "TheAutomobile Girls" in turn.
The Ambassador's eyes twinkled. He saw his young guests were a littleawed at meeting so great a diplomatic personage.
"You are the girls, aren't you, who have been camping on one of ourBerkshire hills?" the Ambassador inquired. "My daughters have told meabout your delightful hut. Curious, I never heard of the little cabin'sexistence. I want you to show me the place. Some day I may follow yourexample and run away to the woods for a few weeks. Dorothy tells me youwill help us with our games next week."
Miss Stuart excus
ed herself. Mrs. Latham wished to talk with her inanother 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 worldcan you mean?"
"Remember," laughed her hostess, "I told you our sports were to be a hugejoke. You must have a sense of humor, or you won't want to take part. Youknow we have horse show grounds here in Lenox. Well, the Gymkana racethis year will take place over their meadow. Indeed, all the sports areto be held there. Father, you explain what the games are like," Dorothyrequested.
The Ambassador looked very grave.
"Miss Stuart," he asked, "will you or your friends drive a turkey, aduck, a hen, or a gander in our Gymkana race? My daughter, Dorothy, has,I believe, reserved an old gray goose as her especial steed; but you canmake any other choice of racer that you may desire. The only point of thegame is to get the nose of your steed first under the blue ribbon. It maytake a good deal of racing and chasing on your own part to accomplishit."
Dorothy inquired, turning first to Ruth, then to Bab, Mollie and Grace,"May I put down your names for this race?"
Ruth laughed. "Certainly I shall enter," she declared. "I have as good anerve as anyone else. You must give me time to decide on what animal Ishall drive."
"I'll join, too!" Grace agreed. "Is this game for women only?"
"Yes," Dorothy replied. "Other distinguished sports are reserved for themen. What do you think of my serious-minded father? He is down for the'egg and spoon' race. So are Franz Heller and Mr. Winthrop Latham. I meanto ask your two men friends, Mr. Post and Mr. Ewing, to enter, too. It'sgreat sport. The men have to run across the track carrying a raw egg in adesert spoon. The man who first gets to the winning post without a mishapis the winner. But there will be other games as well. I am justmentioning a few of them."
Gwendolin Morton approached with Franz Heller and the tall blond girlwhom "The Automobile Girls" had seen for a moment at the postoffice.
"We have to come to believe in the American fashion of introducing ourfriends," declared Miss Morton. "You know, in England it is not thecustom to introduce people to one another at a tea party. May I presentmy friend, Maud Warren, to you, Miss Stuart, Miss Carter, and the MissesThurston."
The four girls bowed. Maud Warren inclined her head slightly, giving eachgirl in turn a supercilious stare.
"I suppose father and Dorothy have been persuading you to take part inthe nonsensical side of our entertainment next week," inquired Gwendolin."I am trying to look after the riding. Do any of you ride horseback wellenough to go in for the hurdle jumping? I warn you, you will find itdifficult to win. Miss Warren is one of the best riders in New York. Shehas taken prizes at hurdle jumping before, at her riding school."
Ruth declined. "I am afraid no one of us rides well enough to go in forthis contest. I ride, of course, but I am not equal to the jumping."
Ruth spied Barbara looking at her with longing eyes.
"I beg your pardon, Bab!" Ruth laughed. "I had no right to decline thehurdle jumping for all of us. Would you like to try?"
"Of course, I should like to try!" Barbara exclaimed. "But I know it isout of the question. I have no horse, and I haven't a riding habit here."Barbara turned shyly to the Ambassador. "I have never done any realhurdle jumping," she explained. "But I have jumped over all kinds offences riding through the country."
The Ambassador smiled. "You need no better training for hurdle races," hereplied.
"If a horse is what you need," cried Dorothy Morton, "why not use onefrom our stables. We have a number of riding horses. Do let me lend youone and enter the hurdle jumping contest. It is a dangerous amusement,however. I won't try it."
"Oh, I am not in the least afraid," Bab declared. "Only, if I am left atthe post, and can't take a single hurdle, you must forgive me."
"Well, you understand," finished the Ambassador, "our amusements are onlyfor our own friends."
"Come here, Mollie," called Miss Stuart, from her corner of the room,where she was seated near Mrs. Latham.
"Mollie," explained Miss Sallie, as the child approached, "Mrs. Latham ismuch interested in our little Indian girl. Her son, Reginald, has toldher of the accident to Eunice. Mrs. Latham is anxious to know to whathospital in Pittsfield Naki has taken the child. I did not ask Ruth. Canyou tell us the name?"
Mollie looked at Mrs. Latham steadily. The older woman dropped her eyes."Eunice is not yet allowed to see visitors," she answered.
"Oh, I have no wish to call on the child," Mrs. Latham protested, "but ifthe Indian girl and her old grandmother are in want I shall send a man tolook after them. My brother is most generous to the poor, Miss Stuart."
But Mollie went on. "Thank you, Mrs. Latham, but Eunice and hergrandmother are not poor. Ruth is looking after them now. The grandmotherwishes to take Eunice back to their wigwam on the hill, when the littlegirl is well enough to be moved."
Mrs. Latham frowned. She had her own reasons for wishing to discover theaddress of the Indian woman and her child. Yet she did not want to appearto be much interested.
Barbara came up to join Mollie.
"Your sister seems determined that no one shall take interest in yourlittle Indian protegee except her own friends," declared Mrs. Latham,smiling at Bab. "Perhaps you would not object to telling me where thechild is located."
"Why certainly not!" Barbara exclaimed frankly, looking in surprise atMollie.
But Mollie interrupted her. The little girl's cheeks were burning hot.She was conscious of her own bad manners, and of Miss Stuart's look ofdisappointment. Yet she spoke before Bab could continue.
"I am sorry for Mrs. Latham to think I am rude in not telling her whereEunice is staying; but it seems to me that, if her old Indian grandmotherhas kept Eunice hidden all these years, she must have had some goodreason. It does not seem fair to me for us to talk about her justbecause, through an accident, we had to send her to town. I think, if thegrandmother wishes to keep Eunice hidden, we ought at least to ask theold woman's permission before we tell anyone where she is staying. I amawfully sorry," Mollie ended, apologetically, "but I do feel that I amright."
Mrs. Latham was very angry. "I am sure I beg your pardon, Miss Thurston,"she rejoined icily, before she moved away. "I meant nothing by myharmless inquiry. I can assure you I am not unduly interested in yourprotegee. If you wish to keep the gypsy girl's hiding place a secret,do so, by all means."
"Mollie, I am exceedingly angry with you!" said Miss Sallie.
"How could you be so horrid, Mollie?" whispered Bab.
Mollie's blue eyes were swimming in tears, but she would not let themfall on her flushed cheeks. She knew she must say good-bye to her newacquaintances, so she dared not answer Miss Sallie then.
But on the way back to their hotel, seated next Miss Stuart in theautomobile, Mollie tried to offer an explanation for her rude behavior.
"Miss Sallie," she pleaded softly, "I know you are dreadfully angry withme; and I am afraid you won't forgive me; but I just couldn't make up mymind to let Mrs. Latham know where to find Eunice and her oldgrandmother. I know you will think I am foolish. Perhaps I am. But I havea feeling that Reginald Latham and his mother mean no good to Eunice. Ican't help remembering how the old squaw acted when she first heard thename of Latham. I cannot believe she was just acting for effect asReginald Latham said she was. There is some mystery about little Eunice.Do you think, Miss Sallie, we girls have a right to betray the old Indianwoman's secrets?"
"My sympathies are all with Mollie, Aunt Sallie!" Ruth declared. "I shallhave to come in for a share of her scolding."
But Barbara shook her head. "I never knew anyone so prejudiced as Mollieis against Reginald Latham. What on earth do you suppose he and hismother could have against a poor old squaw and her little girl? Would youhave helped pulled Reginald down out of his airship, if you had known howyou would dislike him, Mollie?" Bab asked.
But Mollie was looking wistfully at
Miss Sallie, and did not heedBarbara's question.
"I don't care what a young girl may think on any subject," Miss Stuartdeclared firmly, "she has no right to be rude to an older woman. AndMollie was undeniably rude to Mrs. Latham in refusing to answer hersimple question. It could have done no harm to have told her the name ofthe hospital where Eunice is being treated."
"No, it wouldn't have done Eunice any harm to tell that much, Mollie,"Ruth agreed, "because, if that very determined Mrs. Latham wishes todiscover where little Eunice is, she will certainly accomplish it. Why,she rules her grown-up son with a rod of iron!"
"Mark my words!" said Grace, joining quietly in the conversation--Gracewas not often given to expressing an opinion, so even Miss Sallielistened to her with respect. "I would like to bet a great big box ofcandy that Mrs. Latham sees Eunice and her Indian grandmother before theyare many weeks older. The Lathams have some connection with littleEunice, though goodness knows I can't guess what it is."
Mollie had nothing more to say. She was in the motor car now. Her tearscould flow freely.
Miss Sallie pretended, for a few moments, not to see that Mollie wascrying. A breach in social etiquette was a sore offense to Miss Stuart.But after a little while she put her arm around the little girl and gaveher a gentle squeeze.
"I will forgive you, this time, dear," she murmured, "but I never wantyou, Mollie, to be rude to a grown person again. And I don't think, mydear, it is a good idea to have a suspicious nature."
"I didn't mean to be rude," Mollie sighed, putting her head against MissStuart's arm. "I was only trying not to tell Mrs. Latham what she wantedto know." Because it was now dark, and Mollie could not see her face,Miss Sallie smiled.