No, he's not really sure what to make of that, either. Is she telling him he's just going to have to tough it out? The other side of the street is pretty far. Or is she complimenting his intellect again?

"I'm beginning -- to see -- why so few cultures adopt large cats -- as steeds," huffs Andrew, pauses coming whenever he has to shift to get back in balance. It's actually a fairly smooth ride for not having a saddle and not being able to sit properly upright and astride, but he feels a sudden surge of sympathy for all those human children whose parents enter them in mutton busting competitions.

Also, another reason might be the tendency many large cats have to eat their would-be riders. Just maybe.