He loved his parents, indeed, but he sadly lacked that great ornament of youth--a dutiful spirit.

He was spoiled, and got his own way in everything.

He ruled Wildtree Towers, in fact.

If his mother desired him to do what he did not like, he was for the time being deaf, and did not hear her.

If he himself was overtaken in a fault, he changed the subject and talked cheerily about something else.