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69 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1991
"A willful girl and a willful horse is more than one family can handle."Young Felicity is the eldest daughter of the Merriman family and as she gets older, she begins to feel chaffed by all the expectations put upon her.
Felicity would much rather spend her days learning how to whistle, minding her father's shop and (most importantly of all) riding a horse (in breeches! The absolute scandal ).
"There are so many things a young lady must not do. ... Don't talk too loud. Don't walk too fast. Don't Fidget. Don't be impatient." Felicity sighed. "It's very hard."
Mr. Nye owns the local tannery and rumor has it, his last horse was worked to death. Felicity knows that his yard isn't the place for beautiful and headstrong Penny, and when she overhears Mr. Nye threatening to give Penny to the first person who can ride her - Felicity knows what she must do.
"Oh, Father," cried Felicity. We can't let Mr. Nye hurt Penny! We've got to help her. We've got to get her away from Mr. Nye!"
I think that that attitude would appeal to young girls today - who doesn't relate to a rebellious spirit who wants to wear breeches, whistle loudly, and avoid as much housework as possible?
"Lissie," she [Mrs. Merriman] said. "My impatient, headstrong Lissie. You have not the patience to sew a seam properly. You leave your writing practice half-done. You lead your sister and brother to dangerous places and never stop to think."