It was true that he had the pony, that he was not obliged to trouble himself with lessons, that he was an important person at the "Hall;" but he had no playfellows, no one to admire his grandeur, and the days often passed heavily, and there was a look of discontent and peevishness upon his handsome face.
Perhaps the reason why he so seldom came down into Sidmouth, was not only because the fisher boys were not sufficiently impressed with his importance, but because they looked so much happier and more contented than he felt, in spite of his numerous advantages.

On this day he was in a particularly bad temper.

He had lamed his pony the day before, by riding it furiously over a bad road after it had cast a shoe.

The gardener had objected to his picking more than half a dozen peaches which had just come into perfection, and had threatened to appeal to the squire.
Altogether, he was out of sorts, and had walked down to the sea with a vague hope that something might turn up to amuse him.

He stood for some little time watching James sail the boat, and then strode down to the edge of the pool.