“Every girl who is learning to ride, naturally desires to establish a feeling of friendship between herself and her mount, because she knows that he can get rid of her off his back any time he likes; but she should remember that a horse, like a servant, is always ready to take a liberty, and therefore any kindness she may bestow on him should be tempered with discretion and forethought as to its future results.”
The Horsewoman, by Mrs Alice Hayes, 1893.
So…I must beware my servant taking liberties, eh? I wish!
Mrs Hayes was very class conscious. You should hear her about upstart lower class young women and their bicycles.