Felicity's Surprise

Felicity's Surprise is the third book in the Felicity series.

Facts

 * Author: Valerie Tripp
 * Illustrators: Dan Andreasen
 * First Published: 1991
 * Setting: December 1774 - January 7, 1775

Characters

 * Felicity Merriman
 * Edward Merriman
 * Martha Merriman
 * Nan Merriman
 * William Merriman
 * Benjamin Davidson
 * Elizabeth Cole
 * Annabelle Cole
 * Miss Manderly

Chapter One: An Invitation to the Palace
Felicity runs along the frozen path, before turning sideways and sliding fast on a smooth stretch of ice. She tries to get Nan to slide on the ice with her, but Nan refuses, saying it's improper and that they had promised Mother they would go straight home after cutting enough holly to fill their baskets. Felicity continues to slide on the various patches of ice while Nan picks up the holly sprigs falling out of Felicity's basket.

When the girls return home, Mother says they've done a fine job collecting the holly and that she'll be able to work Christmas magic around the house. Mother tells Felicity and Nan to warm up by the fire and that they'll be able to decorate the house as a surprise for Father and Ben.

They hear someone knocking on the door and Mother calls for Felicity to answer it, as she has her hands full with William and the holly. When Felicity answers it, there is an elegantly dressed man standing in the doorway, asking for Mother. The man hands Mother a letter and leaves. Mother unties the ribbon and says it's from Lady Dunmore, the royal governor's wife, and the letter is an invitation for Felicity to attend a dancing lesson at the Governor's Palace on January 7 at four o'clock. Everyone is speechless and quiet at the news of the invitation, and they are all startled when they hear another knock at the door. Mother jokes she wouldn't be surprised if it was King George himself.

It turns out to be Elizabeth, who also has an invitation to the dancing lesson. Elizabeth is excited at the prospect of both she and Felicity attending the dancing lesson at the Palace. She says the lesson will have music and food and everyone will be wearing beautiful clothes, just like a ball. Elizabeth also mentions it was Miss Manderly who arranged for Felicity, Elizabeth, and Annabelle to receive invitations to the Palace, as she knew the dancing master who teaches the governor's children.

Felicity says she must be in a dream, and Mother tells her the cold will snap her out of it. Mother tells Felicity to put her shoes on, go to Father's store, and ask Father for permission to attend the lesson. Felicity asks Elizabeth if she will go with her to the store, but Elizabeth turns down the request as Mrs. Cole doesn't like the idea of Elizabeth being out in the cold for fear of catching a fever. As Felicity heads to the general store, she looks at how festive all the buildings look, with buildings trimmed in ivy, pine, and holly garlands. Christmastide is Felicity's favorite time of the year, and Felicity thinks this will be the most wonderful Christmas ever, having been invited to the Governor's Palace.

When Felicity reaches the general store, it is empty of customers but not yet closing time. Felicity remembers how Father decided to stop selling tea in his store to protest the King's tea tax, and the store is not as busy as it once was. Felicity calls out, and Ben greets her, thinking she's come for a whistling lesson. Felicity asks where Father is and Ben says he's in the counting room. Father comes out of the counting room and Felicity runs towards him, waving the invitation and telling him she, Elizabeth, and Annabelle have been invited to the Palace. Father takes the invitation and reads it by candlelight.

As Felicity asks for Father's permission and Father is about to answer, Ben interrupts, yelling at Felicity for even considering the idea of going to the Governor's Palace. Felicity says she's not angry at the governor, and Ben says she should be, as Governor Dunmore represents the King in Virginia and both the governor and the king have treated the colonists badly. Ben warns Felicity if she were to go to the dance lesson, she would be surrounded by Loyalists, as well as the children of Loyalists who have stopped patronizing Father's store when he stopped selling tea. Ben tells Felicity she just can't go to the Palace.

All of Ben's words have made Felicity gloomy. She knows what Ben is saying, but she still wants to go to the dancing lesson. Felicity asks Father if it's wrong of her to go to the Palace, and Father looks Felicity in the eye, telling her he thinks it's wrong of adult arguments to affect the happiness of children. He thinks the Dunmores' invitation is a kind gesture, as the governor and his wife also have children of their own and would want them to be happy, especially at Christmas. He says Christmas is a time of friendliness, good spirit, and merriment, not anger.

Ben is surprised and asks Father if he thinks Felicity should go, and Father says Felicity should attend the dancing lesson, saying if children of Patriots and Loyalists can dance together, then adults can settle their differences without arguing and fighting one another. Felicity thanks Father, saying she was hoping he would give her permission to go. Father adds that Christmas is a time for peace and hope and happiness to come true. Felicity turns to Ben, thinking Father's words might have had an effect on him, but she sees disappointment in Ben's face. She tries to plead with him, saying it's Christmas, but Ben walks away, without a word.

Items associated with Felicity's Surprise

 * Christmas Gown and Stomacher
 * Invitation and Fashion Doll
 * Noah's Ark