She held Golden Girl for Godfrey, while he went to tie his own horse to a ring on the terrace wall. She watched him loosen Blue Boy's girths and tie one end of the reins round the ring.
"Aren't you going to ride?" asked Connie.
But even for his conscience' sake Godfrey would not risk the breaking of the yellow mare's knees.
"No, I think I shall walk this time."
Connie stood before the mare. Somehow she seemed to have grown miraculously taller. The saddle upon which her rider must sit was miles up in the air. The chestnut head tossed restlessly. Even Clare's caressing fingers could not quell the baleful frenzy of the rolling eye.
Godfrey returned.
"Now, put your foot on my knee, Miss Hammond, and hold the reins so, and the saddle here. I shall count one, two, three, up. When I say up, you must jump. Don't worry about the stirrup. That comes later."
Connie obeyed the directions. Golden Girl seemed to grow before her like Alice in Wonderland after she had eaten the magic cake. Was it a cake she ate? Connie could not remember. She could hardly see the sky, or Clare, or Godfrey. A huge yellow mare blotted out heaven and earth.
"One, two, three, UP!" called Godfrey. "Oh, but you must jump, Miss Hammond."
"So sorry. I wasn't quite ready," lied Connie. "Will you count again?"