IN THE HIDING-SCHOOL. 11 



by the way, silenced her master, and nearly 

 caused him to have a fit of illness from suppres- 

 sion of language, but perhaps it might affect 

 your teacher otherwise, and you would better 

 reserve it for that private mental rehearsal of 

 your first lesson which you will conduct in your 

 maiden meditation. 



You are to be your own best teacher, you 

 understand, and you may be encouraged to 

 know that one of the foremost horsemen in the 

 country says : " I have had many teachers, but 

 my best master was here," touching his fore- 

 head. " Where do you ride, sir? " asked one of 

 his pupils, after vainly striving with reins and 

 whip, knee, heel and spur to execute a move- 

 ment which the master had compelled his 

 horse to perform while apparently holding him- 

 self as rigid as bronze. " I ride here, sir," was 

 the grim answer, with another tap on the 

 forehead. 



And first, Esmeralda, being feminine, you 

 wish to know what you are to wear. 



Until you have taken at least ten lessons, it 

 would be simply foolishness for you to buy any 

 special thing to wear, except a plain flannel skirt, 



