Page:The Complete Works of Lyof N. Tolstoi - 08 (Crowell, 1899).djvu/91

Rh wooden partitions. At first I was afraid and could not make anything out distinctly. But afterward our tutor called the riding-master, and said:—

"Give these lads here some horses; they want to learn to ride."

" Very well," replied the riding-master.

Then he looked at me, and said:—

"This one is very small."

But our tutor said:—

"He has promised not to cry if he falls off."

The riding-master laughed and went away.

Then three saddled horses were brought; we took off our cloaks and descended the staircase into the riding-room. The riding-master held the horse by the thong, and my brothers rode around him. At first they walked; then they trotted.

At last a little pony was brought out. He was a chestnut, and his tail had been cropped. His name was Chervonchik. The riding-master laughed, and said to me:—

"Well, cavalier, mount!"

I was both glad and sad, but I tried to hide it so that no one would notice it. I made several attempts to set my foot into the stirrup, but it was in vain, for I was too small. Then the riding-master lifted me in his arms and set me on, saying:—

"The barin is not heavy; he can't weigh more than a couple of pounds."

At first he held me by the arm; but when I saw that they did not hold my brothers, I asked him to let go of me. He asked me:—

"Are n't you afraid, then?"

I was very much afraid, but I said that I was not.

I was all the more afraid because Chervonchik kept pricking back his ears, and I made up my mind that he was angry with me. The riding-master said:

"Well, only mind that you don't fall off!"

And he let go of me.