“What shall we say, Bab?” Mollie whispered to her sister.

“Goodness knows, child!” Bab just had time to answer, when a servant bowed ceremoniously.  A man entered the room quickly and walked from one girl to the other, shaking hands with each one in turn.

“I am very glad to meet you,” he declared affably.  “Mr. Hamlin tells me you were able to do him a service, and through him to your country, which it is also my privilege to serve.  I thank you.”  The President bowed ceremoniously.  “It was a pretty trick you played on our enemies.  Strategy is sometimes better than war, and a woman’s wits than a man’s fists.”  Then the President turned cordially to Marjorie Moore.

“Miss Moore, it gives me pleasure to say a word of appreciation to you.  Your act in withholding this information from the public rather than to sell it and make a personal gain by it, was a thoroughly patriotic act, and I wish you to know that I value your service.”

“Thank you, Mr. President,” replied Miss Moore, blushing deeply.

The President’s wife now entered the sitting-room with several other guests and members of her family.  When luncheon was announced, the President of the United States offered his arm to Barbara Thurston.

The “Automobile Girls” are not likely to forget their luncheon with the President, his family and a few intimate friends.  The girls were frightened at first; but, being simple and natural, they soon ceased to think of themselves.  They were too much interested in what they saw and heard around them.

The President talked to Ruth, who sat on his left, about automobiles.  He was interested to hear of the travels of Mr. A. Bubble, and seemed to know a great deal about motor cars.  But, after a while, as the girls heard him converse with three distinguished men who sat at his table, one an engineer, the other a judge, and the third an artist, the “Automobile Girls” decided wisely that the President knew almost everything that was worth knowing.

* * * * *

“Children,” said Mr. Stuart that night, when the girls could tell no more of their day’s experience, “it seems to me that it is about time for you to be going home.”  Mr. Stuart and Aunt Sallie were in the Hamlin drawing-room with the “Automobile Girls.”  Mr. Hamlin and Harriet had gone for a short walk.  It was now their custom to walk together each evening after dinner, since it gave them a little opportunity for a confidential talk.

“You girls have had to-day the very happiest opportunity that falls to the lot of any visitor in Washington,” Mr. Stuart continued.  “You have had a private interview with the President and have been entertained by him at the Executive Mansion.  I have no doubt you have also seen all the sights of Washington in the last few weeks.  So homeward-bound must be our next forward move!”

“Oh, Father,” cried Ruth regretfully, her face clouding as she looked at her beloved automobile friends.  How long before she should see them again?