Major Hammerslea looked at him severely, as if his youth were not wholly an excuse. “It is, as I said,” he observed. “It is one thing to ride an American pony and another to ride a British hunter. One requires horsemanship, the other does not. And horsemanship,” he continued, “which properly is the guiding of a horse across country, requires years of study and experience.”
Lord Frederic looked somewhat unconvinced but he said nothing.
“Of course the dear Major (she called it deah Majaw) is unquestionably right,” said Mrs. Ascott-Smith.
“Undoubtedly,” said Mr. Carteret. “I suppose that he has often seen Indians ride?”
“Have you often seen these Indians ride?” inquired Mrs. Ascott-Smith of the Major.
“Do you mean Indians or the Red Men of North America?” replied the Major. “And do you mean upon ponies in a show or upon British hunters?”
“Which do you mean?” asked Mrs. Ascott-Smith.
“I suppose that I mean American Indians,” said Mr. Carteret, “and either upon ponies or upon British hunters.”