Perhaps he would have been glad if grown people had treated him as reverentially as his schoolfellows did.

Three of them were accustomed to come for him every morning; and while he sat upon the back of one, the two others supported him on each side; and thus he rode to school in triumph.
Being a personage of so much importance, Sam could not bear the idea of standing all day in Uttoxeter market offering books to the rude and ignorant country people.

Doubtless he felt the more reluctant on account of his shabby clothes, and the disorder of his eyes, and the tremulous motion of his head.
When Mr.Michael Johnson spoke, Sam pouted and made an indistinct grumbling in his throat; then he looked his old father in the face and answered him loudly and deliberately.
"Sir," said he, "I will not go to Uttoxeter market!" Mr.Johnson had seen a great deal of the lad's obstinacy ever since his birth; and while Sam was younger, the old gentleman had probably used the rod whenever occasion seemed to require.

But he was now too feeble and too much out of spirits to contend with this stubborn and violent-tempered boy.

He therefore gave up the point at once, and prepared to go to Uttoxeter himself.
"Well, Sam," said Mr.Johnson, as he took his hat and staff, "if for the sake of your foolish pride you can suffer your poor sick father to stand all day in the noise and confusion of the market when he ought to be in his bed, I have no more to say.