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           Sandwichedbetweenthetwomensheworshipped,andhangingontotheirhandsfordearlife,Meggiewasinseventhheaven.

           TheGillanboneshowgroundlayonthebanksoftheBarwonRiver,nextdoortotheracecourse.Thoughthefloodsweresixmonthsgone,themudhadnotcompletelydried,andtheeagerfeetofearlycomershadalreadypulpedittoamire.Beyondthestallsofsheepandcattle,pigsandgoats,theprimeandperfectlivestockcompetingforprizes,laytentsfullofhandicraftsandcooking.Theygazedatstock,cakes,crochetedshawls,knittedbabyclothes,embroideredtablecloths,catsanddogsandcanaries.

           Onthefarsideofallthiswastheridingring,whereyoungequestriansandequestriennescanteredtheirbob-tailedhacksbeforejudgeswholooked,itseemedtoagigglingMeggie,ratherlikehorsesthemselves.Ladyridersinmagnificentsergehabitsperchedsidesaddleontallhorses,theirtophatsswathedwithtantalizingwispsofveiling.HowanyonesoprecariouslymountedandhattedcouldstayunruffleduponahorseatanythingfasterthananamblewasbeyondMeggie’simagination,untilshesawonesplendidcreaturetakeherprancinganimaloveraseriesofdifficultjumpsandfinishasimpeccableasbeforeshestarted.Thentheladyprickedhermountwithanimpatientspurandcanteredacrossthesoggyground,reiningtoahaltinfrontofMeggie,FrankandFatherRalphtobartheirprogress.