138 IX THE HIDING-SCHOOL. 



denly very busy with her books, and, after a 

 moment, she renews her announcement that she 

 is not coming any more. " Well, I wouldn't," 

 the wise fairy says, looking thoughtfully at her. 

 " You make the others unhappy, and that is not 

 desirable, and you will not be taught. I gave 

 you fair warning that the master would be 

 severe, but those who come here to learn enjoy 

 their lessons. Once in a great while there are 

 ladies who do not wish to be taught, but they 

 find it out very soon, as you have." 



" There is always a good reason for every- 

 thing," the master says gravely. " Now, I have 

 seen many great men who could not learn to 

 ride. There was Gambetta. Nothing would 

 make a fine rider of that man ! Why ? Be- 

 cause for one moment that his mind was on his 

 horse, a hundred it was on something else. 

 And Jules Verne ! He could not learn ! And 

 Emile Girardin ! They had so many things to 

 think about ! Now, perhaps it is so with this 

 young lady. Society demands so much, one 

 must do so many things, that she cannot bend 

 her mind to this one little art. It is unfortu- 

 nate, but then she is not the first ! " And with 



