"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."
"No," said the Major, "I have not. Have you?"
"Not upon British Hunters," said Mr. Carteret.
"But do you think that they could?" inquired Lord Frederic.
"It would be foolish of me to express an opinion," replied Mr. Carteret, "because, in the first place, I have never seen them ride British Hunters over jumps—"
"They would come off at the first obstacle," observed the Major, more in sorrow than in anger.
"And in the second place," continued Mr. Carteret, "I am perhaps naturally prejudiced in behalf of my fellow countrymen."