Mr. Blomefield was the vicar (a leader in a local church). He had a large family of boys and girls. Sometimes the children came to play with Miss Jessie and Miss Flora. One girl was the same age as Miss Jessie. Two of the boys were older. There were also several small children.
When the children came, Merrylegs had a lot of work. The children loved to ride him. They took turns riding him in the field and the orchard. They rode the little pony for many hours.
One afternoon, Merrylegs was out with the children for a long time. James Howard brought him back to the stable. James called Merrylegs a "rogue" because he was acting a bit naughty. I asked Merrylegs what happened in the field.
Merrylegs tossed his head. He said he gave the children a lesson. They did not know when to stop. Merrylegs was tired, but the boys wanted to continue. So, Merrylegs threw them off his back.
I was very surprised. I asked if he threw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora. Merrylegs was very offended by my question. He said he would never do that. He is always very careful with the young ladies.
He is the best friend and riding teacher for the children. When they are scared, he moves very slowly and quietly. But he says boys are different. Boys must be taught how to behave with a horse.
The children rode Merrylegs for two hours. Then it was the turn of the boys. Merrylegs was happy to work for another hour. But the boys had thick sticks. They hit Merrylegs too hard with the sticks.
Merrylegs stopped a few times to show he was tired. But the boys did not understand. They thought a pony was like a machine. They thought a pony could run fast forever. They did not think about his feelings.
One boy hit Merrylegs again. So, Merrylegs stood on his hind legs. The boy slipped off onto the grass. The boy got on again and used the stick. Merrylegs did the same thing again.
Then the other boy tried. As soon as he used the stick, Merrylegs put him on the grass. He did this until the boys understood. Merrylegs said the boys are not bad, but they need to learn.
James Howard was angry when he saw the thick sticks. He said the sticks were not for young gentlemen. Ginger said she would have kicked the boys. She thought a kick was a better lesson.
Merrylegs said he was not a fool. He did not want to make Squire Gordon angry. He did not want James Howard to be ashamed of him. The children are his responsibility. He knows the master trusts him.
Squire Gordon once told a friend that Merrylegs is perfectly good. He said he would never sell the pony. Merrylegs said he was grateful for his kind home. He would never be mean to the family.
Merrylegs knows that good places make good horses. He loves his people. He told us that kicking is dangerous for a horse. If a horse kicks, he is sold to a bad place.
He might have to work for a butcher or at a loud beach. People there would not care about him. They would only want him to go fast. He never wants to live in a place like that.