abstract
| - Felicity next sees Penny when she goes to the tannery with Nan and William. Penny is tethered down and in even worse shape; she is thinner with more of her coat matted, and a cut on one leg She's straining at the rope, pawing the ground, and jerking and tossing her head. Felicity climbs on the fence and throws sugar to her, and is then caught by Jiggy Nye. Penny whinnies wildly when Jiggy grabs Felicity a second time, and Jiggy tries to beat her but she rears up and breaks free. Jiggy curses that he'll give the horse to anyone that will ride it. Felicity sees Penny running around the pasture as she leaves, glad she's broken free. When Mother hears of this trip she chastises Felicity and insists that Felicity put the horse out of her head; Felicity does not. Soon after Felicity starts going out every night and taming Penny by sitting quietly near her and bringing her treats. Felicity works her way up to touching, then leading, and finally riding Penny. Meanwhile, Jiggy Nye brings her water but no food, saying he won't feed Penny until she allows him to ride. Felicity continues to ride Penny and tame her, and finally grooms her well and rides her to her home, showing her family that Penny is tame. Her father says that Penny is beautiful, but that she belongs to Jiggy Nye and Felicity must give her back. Felicity protests and when Jiggy Nye shows up demanding she give back Penny, Penny rears in fear. Felicity is forced to give up Penny and is quite upset. The next night Felicity sneaks out one last time and rides Penny; Penny then runs towards the now mended fence. Felicity is sure that Penny can't make it, but Penny leaps out of the pasture fully. She continues running towards the woods and turns back to see Felicity; Felicity tells her to go on as she is now free. Penny hesitates, then she nickers and runs off into the woods.
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