40 IN THE BIDING-SCHOOL. 



you would see that no rock is more firmly seated 

 than she. 



If it should please your master to require 

 you to perform the bending exercise, you will 

 feel the advantage of having practised it at 

 home, for it is infinitely easier in the saddle 

 than it is on the floor, and your riding master 

 will be exceedingly pleased at the ease with 

 which you effect it. There is no necessity 

 for telling him that the little feat is quite 

 familiar to you. The woman of sense keeps 

 as many of her doings secret as she can, 

 and the wise pupil confesses to no knowledge 

 except that derived from her master. Being, in 

 spite of his superior knowledge, a mortal man, 

 he will take twice the pains with her, and a 

 hundredfold more pride in her if persuaded that 

 she owes everything to him. 



There is no reason to worry about a little 

 stiffness during the first lessons. It is almost 

 entirely nervousness, and will disappear as soon 

 as you are quite comfortable and easy, but 

 the beautiful flexibility of the good horse- 

 woman comes only to her whose muscles 

 are perfectly trained, and it is surprising how 



