Thomas is too old, in fact, to break it in, and I should have had to get someone to do it, and pay him two or three pounds for the job.
"It was not the first time the boy had been on her back, I could see.

The pony was not quite broken and, just as I came on the scene, was trying its best to get rid of him; but it couldn't do it, and I could see, by the way he rode her about afterwards, that he had got her completely in hand; and a very pretty-going little thing she will turn out." "But what did you say to him, William?
I am sure I should never stop to think whether he was breaking in the pony, or not, if I saw him riding it about." "I daresay not, my dear," the squire said, laughing; "but then you see, you have never been a boy; and I have, and can make allowances.

Many a pony and horse have I broken in, in my time; and have got on the back of more than one, without my father knowing anything about it." "Yes, but they were your father's horses, William," Mrs.Ellison persisted.

"That makes all the difference." "I don't suppose it would have made much difference to me," the squire laughed, "at that time.

I was too fond of horse flesh, even from a boy, to be particular whose horse it was I got across.
However, of course, after waiting till he had done, I gave the young scamp a blowing up." "Not much of a blowing up, I am sure," Mrs.Ellison said; "and as likely as not, a shilling at the end of it." "Well, Mary, I must own," the squire said pleasantly, "that a shilling did find its way out of my pocket into his." "It's too bad of you, William," Mrs.Ellison said indignantly.
"Here is this boy, who is notoriously a scapegrace, has the impertinence to ride your horse, and you encourage him in his misdeeds by giving him a shilling." "Well, my dear, don't you see, I saved two pounds nineteen by the transaction.
"Besides," he added more seriously, "I think the boy has been maligned.