at the riding schools in New York, they give these
same contests; but we have never had any riding lessons. I can't help
being nervous."

"I wouldn't worry, Mollie," Ralph replied kindly. "I am sure Bab is equal
to any kind of horseback exercise. Remember the first time we saw her,
Hugh? She was riding down the road in the rain, astride an old bareback
horse. We nicknamed her 'Miss Paul Revere' then and there. There isn't
any use trying to keep Bab off a horse, Mollie, when she has the faintest
chance to get on one."

"Come on, then," laughed Mollie, smiling at the picture Ralph's remark
had brought to her mind. "We will walk over to the Fair Grounds. You will
find nearly everybody we know in Lenox over there. You remember that you
boys gave Ruth and Bab liberty to put your names down for any of the
games; come and find out what trouble they have gotten you into. You
never dreamed of such absurd amusements as we are to have."

"Oh, we are game for anything," Hugh declared. "Lenox sports are the
jolliest I have yet run across. Don't think any other place can produce
anything just like them. Certainly the amusements are a bit unconventional,
but they are all the more fun. 'Society Circus' is a good name for the
entertainment. Anything goes in a 'Society Circus.'"

"What curious amusements people _do_ have for the benefit of charities!"
reflected Mollie. "But I expect the Lenox Hospital will receive a great
deal of money from the sports this year. You see, they are in charge of
the English Ambassador. That alone would make the entertainment popular."

"Is Mollie growing worldly wise, Hugh?" asked Ralph, with mock horror.

"Looks like it, Ralph," was the reply.

The boys and Mollie found Barbara in the midst of a gay circle of young
people. Grace and Ruth were nowhere to be seen.

Aunt Sallie sat with Mrs. Morton in the grandstand. The Ambassador and
Mr. Winthrop Latham wandered about near them. Many preparations were
necessary for the next day's frolic.

In front of the grandstand stretched a wide, green field, enclosed with a
low fence. A little distance off stood the club house.

Bab came forward with both hands extended to greet her friends. She gave
one hand to Ralph, the other to Hugh.

"I am so glad to see you!" she declared. "I can't wait to shake your
hands in the right way. We girls were so afraid you had turned
'quitters'! Come, this minute, and see Aunt Sallie. You must be
introduced, too, to Ambass