100 IN THE HIDING-SCHOOL. 



" Do you understand," Theodore asks, "that 

 these horses adjust their gait to the music ? " 



" So Nell's friend says." 



"Well, I don't believe it. They are good 

 horses, but I don't believe that they practise 

 circus tricks. Why must I go to the centre the 

 minute that you bid me ? Why couldn't you 

 pull up and pass out behind me ? " 



" Because if I did, somebody might ride over 

 me. It is not proper to stop while on the 

 track." 



" Oh-h ! How long do they trot or canter at 

 a time ? Half an hour ? " 



" Only a few minutes," you answer, wonder- 

 ing whether Theodore really supposes that you 

 could canter, much less trot half an hour, even 

 if stimulated by the music of the spheres. 



" That's a pretty rider," he says, as a girl cir- 

 cles lightly past, sitting fairly well, and rising 

 straight, but with her arms so much extended 

 that her elbow is the apex of a very obtuse an- 

 gle, although her forearms are horizontal. You 

 explain this point to Theodore, who replies that 

 she looks pretty, and seems to be able to trot 

 for some time, whereupon your heart sinks 



