96 IN THE RIDING-SCHOOL. 



of making them able to act from their own 

 knowledge and volition. Theory will not make 

 you a good rider, but a really good rider with- 

 out theory is an impossibility, and your theory 

 must have a deeper seat than your retinae. 

 Now, you shall have a very little trot, and then 

 you may walk for ten minutes, and try to do 

 voltes and half voltes by yourself, asking me 

 for aid if you cannot remember how to execute 

 the movements. Doing them will help you to 

 pass away the time when you are too tired to 

 trot, and will keep you from having any dull 

 moments." 



And you, Esmeralda, you naughty girl ! You 

 forget all about your sulkiness half an hour ago, 

 and, looking your master in the face, you say : 

 " But nobody ever has dull moments in riding- 

 school." There ! Finish your lesson and walk 

 off to the dressing-room ; you will be trying to 

 trade horses with somebody the next thing, you 

 artful, flattering puss ! 



