They accepted it as a matter of course.

As he grew older his work simply grew harder, and in no respect differed from that of the labourers, except that he directed what should be done next, but none the less assisted to do it.
Thus the days went on, the weeks, and months, and years.

He was close upon forty years old before he had his own will for a single day.

Up to almost that age he worked on his father's farm as a labourer among the labourers, as much under parental authority as when he was a boy of ten.

When the old man died it was not surprising that the son, so long held down in bondage--bondage from which he had not the spirit to escape--gave way for a short period to riotous living.