“Why, Harriet, are you getting more clothes?” Ruth exclaimed.  “You are like ’Miss Flora McFlimsey, of Madison Square, who never had anything good enough to wear.’”

“I am no such thing, Ruth Stuart,” returned her cousin, a little peevishly.  “You don’t understand.  Does she, Barbara?  Ruth has so much money she simply cannot realize what it means to try to make a good appearance on a small allowance, especially here in Washington where one goes out so much.”

“I was only joking, Harriet,” Ruth apologized as she and Barbara obediently followed their hostess upstairs.  Bab, however, secretly wondered how she and Mollie were to manage in Washington, with their simple wardrobes, if their young hostess thought that clothes were the all-important thing in Washington society.

Harriet Hamlin was twenty years of age, but she seemed much older to Bab and Ruth.  In the first place, Harriet was an entirely different type of girl.  She had been mistress of her father’s house in Washington since she was sixteen.  She had received her father’s guests and entertained his friends; and at eighteen she had made her debut into Washington society, and had taken her position as one of the women of the Cabinet.  Harriet’s mother, Ruth’s aunt, had died a few months before Mr. Hamlin had received his appointment as Assistant Secretary of State.  Since that time Harriet had borne the responsibilities of a grown woman, and being an only child she had to a certain extent done as she pleased, although she was secretly afraid of her cold, dignified father.

Mr. William Hamlin was one of the ablest men in Washington.  He was a quiet, stern, reserved man, and although he was proud of his daughter, of her beauty and accomplishments, he was also very strict with her.  He was a poor man, and it was hard work for Harriet to keep up the appearance necessary to her father’s position on his salary as Assistant Secretary of State.  Harriet, however, never dared tell her father of this, and Mr. Hamlin never offered Harriet either sympathy or advice.

Barbara and Ruth could only watch with admiring eyes and little exclamations of delight the exquisite garments that Harriet now lifted out of three big, pasteboard boxes; a beautiful yellow crepe frock, a pale green satin evening gown and a gray broadcloth tailor-made suit.  Harriet was tall and dark, with very black hair and large dark eyes.  She was considered one of the beauties of the “younger set” in Washington society.  Ruth had not seen her cousin for several years, until she received the invitation to bring the “Automobile Girls” to Washington.

Ruth Stuart and Barbara Thurston had changed very little since their last outing together at Palm Beach.  Barbara was now nearly eighteen.  At the close of the school year she was to be graduated from the Kingsbridge High School.  And she hoped to be able to enter Vassar College the following fall.  Yet the fact that she was in Washington early in December requires an explanation.