Page 242 - LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women

up to display his equestrian skill before the young ladies,
and there was no more quiet that day.
‘Don’t you love to ride?’ asked Grace of Amy, as they
stood resting after a race round the field with the others,

led by Ned.
‘I dote upon it. My sister, Meg, used to ride when Papa
was rich, but we don’t keep any horses now, except Ellen
Tree,’ added Amy, laughing.
‘Tell me about Ellen Tree. Is it a donkey?’ asked Grace
curiously.
‘Why, you see, Jo is crazy about horses and so am I, but
we’ve only got an old sidesaddle and no horse. Out in our
garden is an apple tree that has a nice low branch, so Jo
put the saddle on it, fixed some reins on the part that turns
up, and we bounce away on Ellen Tree whenever we
like.’
‘How funny!’ laughed Grace. ‘I have a pony at home,
and ride nearly every day in the park with Fred and Kate.
It’s very nice, for my friends go too, and the Row is full of
ladies and gentlemen.’
‘Dear, how charming! I hope I shall go abroad some
day, but I’d rather go to Rome than the row,’ said Amy,
who had not the remotest idea what the Row was and
wouldn’t have asked for the world.

241 of 861