IN THE HIDING-SCHOOL. 61 



gers and the middle finger and forefinger. I 

 hold my own in that way when training a horse, 

 but it is better for you to use both hands on 

 the reins, and he would tell you so. You are 

 more likely to sit square ; it gives you twice 

 the hold, and then, too, you know where your 

 right hand is, and are not waving it about in 

 the air, or devising queer ways of holding your 

 whip. Now your hour is over, and I will take 

 you off your horse. Wait until he is perfectly 

 still, and the groom has him by the head. Now 

 drop your reins ; let me take off the foot straps ; 

 take your foot out of the stirrup ; turn in the 

 saddle ; put one hand on my shoulder and one 

 on my elbow, and slip down as lightly as you 

 can." 



You glance at the clock, perceive that you 

 have been in the saddle almost an hour and a 

 half, and murmur an apology. "Don't mind," 

 is the encouraging answer. " As long as a 

 pupil does not complain and call us stingy when 

 we make her dismount, we do not say much. 

 But are you really going on the road, Monday, 

 Miss Esmeralda?' "Yes, I am," you answer. 

 "Ah, well," he says, a little regretfully, "don't 



