Catherine couldn't help a small displeased frown. She had a long way to go with Ellie, not because the girl didn't know how to ride. Catherine had expected that and wasn't all too troubled by it. Many ladies didn't. There was nothing wrong with being afraid of horses either. A gentleman might find it a rather endearing feminine trait. It was the way Ellie responded that displeased her.

"We'll see. You needn't worry about that for now. We'll focus on the basics, and maybe we can work on a more common accomplishment. I could teach you a little piano. And we'll see how your singing is. But really, Ellie, you mustn't respond so..." She didn't know how to describe it. "... much."

Ellie's pleasant expression disappeared at the rebuff and her shoulders dropped.

"Oh... I understand, Miss."

Miss Catherine's really was a different world. You couldn't laugh - really laugh - at a nonsense suggestion like a fisher girl knowing how to ride a horse.

"I'm sorry. I am trying. It's all so new to me. The singin' and the piano does sound nice though."