I was happy in my new place. Everyone was good to me, and I had a light, airy stable and the best of food. What more could I want? Liberty! For three and a half years I had run free in the fields. Now, month after month, I had to stand in a stable night and day, except when I was needed. I am not complaining, because I know it must be so. But for a young horse full of strength, it is hard.
Sometimes I felt so full of life that I could not keep still when John took me out. I just had to jump and dance. But he was always patient.
“Steady, steady, my boy,” he said. “Wait a little, and we’ll soon get the dance out of your feet.” As soon as we were out of the village, he gave me a few miles at a fast trot, and I came home calm. When John was serious, I always knew it from his voice, and his voice meant more to me than anything else, because I loved him.
On fine Sundays in summer, when the carriage did not go out, we were sometimes free for a few hours in the old orchard. The grass was cool and soft, and we could gallop, lie down and roll on our backs. It was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the big chestnut tree.