Why, I wouldn't rope you or hit you.

I'm only a girl." He drew up, made a single effort to jump, which she prevented, and then he stood quivering, eying her, while she talked soothingly, and patted him and looked at him in the way she had found infallible with most horses.

Lucy believed horses were like people, or easier to get along with.

Presently she gently pulled out one of the cactus spikes.

The horse flinched, but he stood.