“So little time?” cried Nic excitedly.
“Or less. We have about a week’s journey before us; and from what I have just learned, I shall be greatly surprised if you do not canter up to the station with me, a little stiff and sore about the knees, but good friends with Sour Sorrel there, and ready to think riding a delightful accomplishment.”
Nic shook his head.
“You don’t know me yet, father,” said the boy sadly.
“Better than you know yourself,” replied the doctor. “But don’t let’s waste time. You want to learn?”
“Horribly, father,” cried Nic.
“Very well, then. I’ll give you a lesson at once.”
“Not faster, to begin with?” said Nic quickly.
“No,” said the doctor, laughing. “I want to give you confidence, not destroy it. So now then, to begin with, you shall learn what danger you run. I am an experienced horseman, I have tight hold of your rein, so that your horse cannot bolt, and I have promised you not to go faster than a walk. You see, then, the utmost that could happen in that way would be that the nag might caper a little.”
“Or kick and throw me off.”